Deterministic All-Optical Continuous-Variable Quantum Telecloning.

Quantum telecloning, a pivotal multiuser quantum communication protocol in the realm of quantum information science, facilitates the copy of a quantum state across M distinct locations through teleportation technique. In the continuous-variable regime, the implementation of quantum telecloning necessitates the distribution of multipartite entanglement among the sender and M receiver parties. Following this, the sender carries out optic-electro conversion and transmits information via classical channel to M spatially separated receivers simultaneously. To successfully reconstruct the input state, electro-optic conversion needs to be employed by each receiver. However, due to these conversions, the bandwidth of the optical mode in this process is largely constrained. In this Letter, we present an all-optical version of the 1→2 continuous-variable quantum telecloning scheme, wherein both optic-electro and electro-optic conversions are replaced by optical components. Our scheme allows the two receivers to achieve input state reconstruction solely by utilizing beam splitters, significantly simplifying its complexity. We experimentally demonstrate all-optical 1→2 quantum telecloning of coherent state and achieve the fidelities of 58.6%±1.0% and 58.6%±1.1% for two clones, exceeding the corresponding classical limits (51.9%±0.5% and 51.9%±0.6%). Our results establish a platform for constructing a flexible all-optical multiuser quantum network and promote the field of all-optical quantum information processing.

Retrobisabolane A, a Novel Bisabolane-Derived Sesquiterpenoid Isolated from Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Retroconis fusiformis MCCC 3A00792.

One novel bisabolane-derived sesquiterpenoid retrobisabolane A (1), featuring a methyl group location at the C-4 position instead of C-3 in the bisabolanes, and a known ester-substituted eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoid cryptosphaerolide (2), along with three known indole alkaloids (3-5) were discovered from the fermented cultures of a deep-sea-derived fungus Retroconis fusiformis MCCC 3A00792. The planar structure of new compound 1 was determined by extensive analysis of the NMR and HRESIMS spectra. The relative and absolute configurations of 1 were resolved by the coupling constant (J), calculation of ECD and NMR spectra, and the DP4+ probability analysis of the 1H and 13C NMR data. Interestingly, retrobisabolane A was the new subclass of bisabolanes bearing a methyl group linkage at C-4 instead of C-3 position. Three human cancer cell lines (Hela, AGS, and BIU-87) were subjected to evaluate the cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-5. As a result, compound 2 exhibited significant inhibitory activities against three cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 9.95 to 18.77 µM.

Deterministic All-Optical Quantum Teleportation of Four Degrees of Freedom.

Quantum teleportation, disembodied transfer of the unknown quantum state between two locations, has been experimentally demonstrated for both discrete and continuous variable states in one degree of freedom (DOF). Generally, multiple DOFs are needed to fully characterize a quantum state. Therefore, to implement intact quantum teleportation, multiple DOFs of quantum state should be teleported simultaneously. Recently, teleporting a single photon encoded in two DOFs has been experimentally demonstrated in discrete variable regime. However, the teleportation of more than two DOFs remains unexplored. Here, by utilizing continuous variable hyperentanglement in four DOFs (azimuthal and radial indexes of Laguerre-Gaussian mode, frequency, and polarization), we experimentally demonstrate deterministic all-optical quantum teleportation of four DOFs. Moreover, we experimentally construct 24 parallel teleportation channels. Our results pave the way for deterministically implementing multiple-DOF quantum communication protocols.

Orbital Angular Momentum Multiplexed Deterministic All-Optical Quantum Erasure-Correcting Code.

Quantum erasure-correcting code, which corrects the erasure in the transmission of quantum information, is an important protocol in quantum information. In the continuous variable regime, the feed-forward technique is needed for realizing quantum erasure-correcting code. This feed-forward technique involves optic-electro and electro-optic conversions, limiting the bandwidth of quantum erasure-correcting code. Moreover, in the previous continuous variable quantum erasure-correcting code, only two modes are protected against erasure, limiting the applications of quantum erasure-correcting code in high-capacity quantum information processing. In this Letter, by utilizing the orbital angular momentum (OAM) multiplexed entanglement in the encoding part and replacing the feed-forward technique with OAM mode-matched phase-sensitive amplifier in the decoding part, we experimentally demonstrate a scheme of OAM multiplexed deterministic all-optical quantum erasure-correcting code. We experimentally demonstrate that four orthogonal modes can be simultaneously protected against one arbitrary erasure. Our results provide an all-optical platform to implement quantum erasure-correcting code and may have potential applications in implementing all-optical fault-tolerant quantum information processing.

Study on Undercarboxylated Osteocalcin in Improving Cognitive Function of Rats with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Regulating PI3K-AKT-GSK/3ß Signaling Pathwaythrough medical images.

This paper aims to clarify the effect of Undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) on cognitive function in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This research reviewed the cognitive function of 35 diabetic patients, 33 non-diabetic patients and the serum levels of Undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) in patients. What's more, we analyzed the correlation between serum ucOC levels and cognitive function. Diabetic rats were treated with high (30 µg·kg-1·d-1) and low (10 µg·kg-1·d-1) doses of ucOC to investigate its effects in regulating ucOC on blood lipid, blood glucose and cognitive function. We systematically detected the phosphorylation levels of cognitive level-related proteins (PI3K, AKT, and GSK/3ß) in the hippocampus by Western Blot. Finally, PI3K-Akt pathway involved in regulating cognitive function in diabetic rats by ucOC was verified with AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002. MoCA score and serum ucOC levels were significantly reduced in patients with diabetes mellitus. ucOC could concentration-dose-dependently decrease the blood glucose and lipid levels, and improve glucose metabolism and weaken insulin resistance in diabetic rats (P < 0.001). In addition, escape latency in diabetic rats was significantly higher than that of normal rats in the Morris maze test, and ucOC dose-dependently shortened the escape latency in diabetic rats (all with P < 0.05). After using AKT pathway inhibitor, ucOC failed to shorten the escape latency in diabetic rats. In conclusion, this study explored the relevant mechanisms in inducing cognitive dysfunction of T2DM, suggesting the potential value of ucOC as a drug to improve cognitive dysfunction in patients with T2DM in clinical.

A review of the effect of the light environment of the VDT workspace on the "learning to learn" effect of video game training.

In recent years, the role of video games in enhancing brain plasticity and learning ability has been verified, and this learning transfer is known as the "learning to learn" effect of video game training. At the same time, against the background of healthy lighting, the influence of non-visual effects of light environment on the human rhythmic system has been gradually confirmed. As a special operation form of Visual Display Terminal (VDT) operation, video game training has a high dependence on VDT equipment and the VDT screen, and the background usually has a huge difference in brightness. Compared with the light environment of ordinary operation space, the light environment of VDT operation space is more complex. This complex light environment's non-visual effects cause human emotions, alertness, fatigue, cognitive ability, and other changes, which may affect the efficiency of the "learning to learn" effect of video game training. This article focuses on the impact of the light environment in the VDT workspace on the "learning to learn" effect of video game training. It first traces the factors that trigger the "learning to learn" effect of video game training, that is, the improvement of people's attention, perception, and cognitive ability. Then, the influencing mechanism and the evaluation method of the VDT workspace space light environment on the human rhythm system are discussed based on the basic theory of photobiological effect. In addition, the VDT display lighting light time pattern, photophysical properties, regulation, and protection mechanism on the human rhythm system are studied to demonstrate the VDT workspace light environment's special characteristics. Finally, combined with the progress of artificial lighting technology and the research results of health lighting, given the "learning to learn" effect of video game training, some thoughts on the design of the light environment of the workplace and future research directions are presented.

An fMRI study of the effects on normal language areas when acupuncturing the Tongli (HT5) and Xuanzhong (GB39) acupoints.

Objective Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis of the effects of acupuncturing the Tongli (HT5) and Tongli (HT5)-Xuanzhong (GB39) acupoints on the normal language areas with a view to providing a theoretical basis for using acupuncture to treat patients with aphasia. Methods This study enrolled healthy volunteers. The following acupoints were stimulated: right Tongli (HT5), right Tongli (HT5)-Xuanzhong (GB39), right Tongli (HT5) sham acupuncture, left Tongli (HT5), and left Tongli (HT5)-Xuanzhong (GB39) acupoints. Acupuncture stimulation was delivered whilst fMRI scanning of the brain was undertaken. Results Ten healthy volunteers (five males) were included in this study (mean age 44.5 ± 2.5 years; range 40-55 years). Based on the statistical analyses, only acupuncturing the right Tongli (HT5) acupoint resulted in activation of multiple regions of the bilateral cerebral hemisphere that were closely related to the language regions. The right Tongli (HT5) stimulation had a laterality index of 0.0952; with the activated voxels on the left side language-related areas being greater than those on the right side. Conclusions Acupuncturing the right Tongli (HT5) acupoint results in activation of the bilateral language-related areas, so this acupoint might be useful for the acupuncture treatment of aphasia caused by cerebral infarction.

Kallistatin, a new and reliable biomarker for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis.

Kallistatin, which protects organs and cells against inflammation, fibrosis and oxidative stress, is mainly synthesized and secreted in liver. However, its relationship to human liver disease remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between serum kallistatin and clinical evidence of both cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to determine if serum kallistatin levels could be used as a diagnostic indicator of hepatic health status, especially human liver cirrhosis (LC). Our cohort consisted of 115 patients with clinically proven liver fibrosis (LF), LC, or HCC by liver biopsies, and 31 healthy controls (CON). Serum kallistatin levels were quantified by ELISA. Results of the present study demonstrated that irrespective of the underlying etiology, serum kallistatin levels were significantly lower in the LF/LC group when compared with the CON group. A decrease in serum kallistatin levels appeared to reflect the extent of cirrhosis, with the lowest levels associated with higher grades of cirrhosis. Patients with LC had a noticeable correlation between serum kallistatin levels and other serum biochemical indicators. The area under the curve (AUC) for LC, viral liver cirrhosis (VLC) and alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) was 0.845, 0.757 and 0.931, respectively. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that kallistatin, a plasma protein produced by the liver, can be a useful and reliable diagnostic indicator of hepatic health status, especially for LC.

Calcium-ion-modulated ceramic hydroxyapatite resin for the scalable purification of recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus serotype 9.

Column chromatography has been widely used as a scalable purification strategy for recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors. The rAAV1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 serotypes could be separated using affinity resins, ion exchange resins or other types of resins. Apatite resin has displayed outstanding performance in protein purification in the past 10 years, and ceramic hydroxyapatite (CHT) chromatography resin with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) modulation has recently been used for rAAV1 and rAAV9 vectors. This study reports the use of CHT chromatography modulated by calcium ions instead of PEG for rAAV9 purification. Calcium-ion-containing buffers effectively improve the inclusion of CHT as a capture resin, the resin-binding capacity and the yield. The optimum calcium ion concentration is 30ppm, and the optimum pH is 7.0. A frontal analysis indicated that the binding capacity of CHT at 2ml/min reaches 65.1mg total protein per ml of resin. A previously developed purification strategy consists of CHT followed by ANX anion exchange chromatography. The vector yield of this approach is approximately 70%, and a software analysis indicated a vector purity exceeding 98%. The residual host cell (HEK293) protein contents are 24.75±2.32ng and 67.21±2.10ng, and the Benzonase residue contents are 1.55±0.10pg and 1.95±0.16ng per 10(13) vector genome copies (G.C.) separated by CHT/ANX and CsCl. In addition, CHT/ANX yields 798.44±50.10pg of plasmid DNA and 2.17±0.11ng of HEK293 DNA, while CsCl purification yields 840.27±76.14pg of plasmid DNA and 2.43±0.19 of HEK293 DNA. The two methods produce vectors with similar in vitro and in vivo potencies. The results indicated that the CHT/ANX method is suitable for the scalable purification of the rAAV9 vector.

Protection effect of kallistatin on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats via antioxidative stress.

Prolonged inflammation and oxidative stress are emerging as key causes of pathological wound healing and the development of liver fibrosis. We have investigated the effects of recombinant human kallistatin, produced in Pichia. pastoris, on preventing carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Daily administration of kallistatin prevented development of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, which was evidenced by histological study. In all kallistatin treated rats, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) as assessed by s-smooth muscle actin staining was attenuated, TGF- ß1 expression was inhibited, class I serum biomarkers associated with the process of fibrogenesis, such as hyaluronic acid, laminin, and procollagen III, were lowered, compared with that in the model control group. Furthermore, residual hepatic functional reserve was improved by kallistatin treatment. CCl4 induced elevation of malondialdehyde level and reduced superoxide dismutase activity in the liver, while kallistatin reduced these oxidative parameters. We also investigated the effects of kallistatin on rat primary HSC and LX-2, the human HSC cell line. Kallistatin scavenged H2O2-induced ROS in the LX-2 cells, and suppressed the activation of primary HSC. These results suggest recombinant human kallistatin might be a promising drug candidate for therapeutic intervention of liver fibrosis.

Double-stranded Let-7 mimics, potential candidates for cancer gene therapy.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small, single-stranded endogenous RNAs, act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. The ability of one single miRNA regulating multiple functionally related mRNAs makes it a new potential candidate for cancer gene therapy. Let-7s miRNAs have been demonstrated as tumor-suppressor genes in various types of cancers, providing one choice of gene therapy by replenishing this miRNA. In the present studies, we demonstrate that the chemically synthesized, double-stranded Let-7 mimics can inhibit the growth and migration and induce the cell cycle arrest of lung cancer cell lines in vitro. Let-7 mimics silence gene expression by binding to the 3' UTR of targeting mRNAs. Mutation of seed sequence significantly depresses the gene silencing activity of Let-7 mimics. Our results also demonstrate that it is possible to increase the activity of Let-7s through mutating the sequence within the 3'end of the antisense strand. Directly, co-transfection Let-7 mimics with active siRNAs impairs the anti-cancer activities of Let-7 mimics. However, a 3-h interval between the introduction of Let-7 mimics and a kind of siRNA avoids the competition and enhances the anti-cancer activities of Let-7 mimics. Taken together, these results have revealed that Let-7s mimics are potential candidates for cancer gene therapy.

Cytoglobin: a novel potential gene medicine for fibrosis and cancer therapy.

Attempts have been made by conventional gene therapy to suppress hepatic fibrogenesis, but potential oncogenic activity may prevent its clinical use. Recently, a novel major approach has been developed for resolution of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis: inactivation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) using the endogenous expressing gene, which could mediate the homeostatic adaptation of liver. Cytoglobin (Cygb), originally identified in cultured rat HSC, is in a new class of heme containing proteins known as the hexacoordinate globin superfamily. These proteins exhibit peroxidase activity against hydrogen peroxides and lipid hydroperoxides. Considerable attention has been focused on the potential benefits of use of Cygb in fibrosis therapy, as up-regulation of Cygb expression could reduce oxidant stress, suppress HSC differentiation to a myofibroblast-like phenotype and eventually prevent the progress of liver fibrosis. Cygb has also been found to be a candidate tumor suppressor gene that might provide a new option for cancer gene therapy. In this review we systematically analyze the potential of Cygb as a prospective gene medicine for curing fibrosis, cancer, and other diseases such as diabetes. The molecular structure, regulation and subcellular location of Cygb are reviewed as well.