Entanglement-based secure quantum cryptography over 1,120 kilometres.

Quantum key distribution (QKD)1-3 is a theoretically secure way of sharing secret keys between remote users. It has been demonstrated in a laboratory over a coiled optical fibre up to 404 kilometres long4-7. In the field, point-to-point QKD has been achieved from a satellite to a ground station up to 1,200 kilometres away8-10. However, real-world QKD-based cryptography targets physically separated users on the Earth, for which the maximum distance has been about 100 kilometres11,12. The use of trusted relays can extend these distances from across a typical metropolitan area13-16 to intercity17 and even intercontinental distances18. However, relays pose security risks, which can be avoided by using entanglement-based QKD, which has inherent source-independent security19,20. Long-distance entanglement distribution can be realized using quantum repeaters21, but the related technology is still immature for practical implementations22. The obvious alternative for extending the range of quantum communication without compromising its security is satellite-based QKD, but so far satellite-based entanglement distribution has not been efficient23 enough to support QKD. Here we demonstrate entanglement-based QKD between two ground stations separated by 1,120 kilometres at a finite secret-key rate of 0.12 bits per second, without the need for trusted relays. Entangled photon pairs were distributed via two bidirectional downlinks from the Micius satellite to two ground observatories in Delingha and Nanshan in China. The development of a high-efficiency telescope and follow-up optics crucially improved the link efficiency. The generated keys are secure for realistic devices, because our ground receivers were carefully designed to guarantee fair sampling and immunity to all known side channels24,25. Our method not only increases the secure distance on the ground tenfold but also increases the practical security of QKD to an unprecedented level.

Off-axis telescope misalignment correction based on defocus spot moment features.

Optical mirror misalignments, which are caused by assembly mistakes and changes in the surrounding environment (such as gravity, temperature, and atmosphere), degrade the system's imaging performance. Therefore, active misalignment correction is essential for ensuring the image quality of the off-axis telescope. In this paper, a novel misalignment correction method without wavefront sensors is proposed. The point spread functions (PSFs) of the system are analytically related to the optical mirror misalignments. On this basis, a fully connected neural network (FCNN) is used to establish the mapping relationship between the misalignments and the discrete orthogonal unbiased finite impulse response (UFIR) moment features, which can effectively characterize changes of intensity and geometric of the spot image. The simulation and experimental results in this paper justify the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed method. This approach offers a low-cost and straightforward technical method for achieving high imaging quality throughout the alignment and observation phases. This approach can prevent the accumulation of errors caused by wavefront detection and the high delay of multiple iterations.

Survival rates in Hispanic/Latinx subpopulations with cervical cancer associated with disparities in guideline-concordant care.

BACKGROUND: Failure to deliver guideline-concordant treatment may contribute to disparities among Hispanic/Latinx cervical cancer patients. This study investigated the association between survival rates in Hispanic/Latinx subpopulations and the provision of guideline-concordant care. METHODS: We analyzed patients with primary cervical cancer from 2004 to 2019 (National Cancer Database). We developed nine quality metrics based on FIGO staging (2009). Clinical and demographic covariates were analyzed using Chi-squared tests. Adjusted associations between receipt of guideline-concordant care and races and ethnicities were analyzed using multivariable marginal Poisson regression models. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to evaluate survival probability. RESULTS: A total of 95,589 patients were included. Hispanic/Latinx and Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) populations were less likely to receive guideline-concordant care in four and five out of nine quality metrics, respectively. Nonetheless, the Hispanic/Latinx group exhibited better survival outcomes in seven of nine quality metrics. Compared to Mexican patients, Cuban patients were 1.17 times as likely to receive timely initiation of treatment in early-stage disease (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04-1.37, p < 0.001). Puerto Rican and Dominican patients were, respectively, 1.16 (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07-1.27, p < 0.001) and 1.19 (RR 1.19, 95% 1.04-1.37, p > 0.01) times as likely to undergo timely initiation of treatment in early-stage disease. Patients of South or Central American (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.10-1.27, p < 0.001) origin were more likely to undergo timely initiation of treatment in locally advanced disease. CONCLUSION: Significant differences in survival were identified among our cohort despite the receipt of guideline concordant care, with notably higher survival among Hispanic/Latinx populations.

Comparing survival of older ovarian cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus primary cytoreductive surgery: Reducing bias through machine learning.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a multidimensional comorbidity index (MCI) that identifies ovarian cancer patients at risk of early mortality more accurately than the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) for use in health services research. METHODS: We utilized SEER-Medicare data to identify patients with stage IIIC and IV ovarian cancer, diagnosed in 2010-2015. We employed partial least squares regression, a supervised machine learning algorithm, to develop the MCI by extracting latent factors that optimally captured the variation in health insurance claims made in the year preceding cancer diagnosis, and 1-year mortality. We assessed the discrimination and calibration of the MCI for 1-year mortality and compared its performance to the commonly-used CCI. Finally, we evaluated the MCI's ability to reduce confounding in the association of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: We included 4723 patients in the development cohort and 933 in the validation cohort. The MCI demonstrated good discrimination for 1-year mortality (c-index: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.72-0.79), while the CCI had poor discrimination (c-index: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.56-0.63). Calibration plots showed better agreement between predicted and observed 1-year mortality risk for the MCI compared with CCI. When comparing all-cause mortality between NACT with primary cytoreductive surgery, NACT was associated with a higher hazard of death (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04-1.23) after controlling for tumor characteristics, demographic factors, and the CCI. However, when controlling for the MCI instead of the CCI, there was no longer a significant difference (HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.96-1.14). CONCLUSIONS: The MCI outperformed the conventional CCI in predicting 1-year mortality, and reducing confounding due to differences in baseline health status in comparative effectiveness analysis of NACT versus primary surgery.

Cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum: Surgeon specialty-specific assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess (i) clinical and pregnancy characteristics, (ii) patterns of surgical procedures, and (iii) surgical morbidity associated with cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum based on the specialty of the attending surgeon. METHODS: The Premier Healthcare Database was queried retrospectively to study patients with placenta accreta spectrum who underwent cesarean delivery and concurrent hysterectomy from 2016 to 2020. Surgical morbidity was assessed with propensity score inverse probability of treatment weighting based on surgeon specialty for hysterectomy: general obstetrician-gynecologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and gynecologic oncologists. RESULTS: A total of 2240 cesarean hysterectomies were studies. The most common surgeon type was general obstetrician-gynecologist (n = 1534, 68.5%), followed by gynecologic oncologist (n = 532, 23.8%) and maternal-fetal medicine specialist (n = 174, 7.8%). Patients in the gynecologic oncologist group had the highest rate of placenta increta or percreta, followed by the maternal-fetal medicine specialist and general obstetrician-gynecologist groups (43.4%, 39.6%, and 30.6%, P < .001). In a propensity score-weighted model, measured surgical morbidity was similar across the three subspecialty groups, including hemorrhage / blood transfusion (59.4-63.7%), bladder injury (18.3-24.0%), ureteral injury (2.2-4.3%), shock (8.6-10.5%), and coagulopathy (3.3-7.4%) (all, P > .05). Among the cesarean hysterectomy performed by gynecologic oncologist, hemorrhage / transfusion rates remained substantial despite additional surgical procedures: tranexamic acid / ureteral stent (60.4%), tranexamic acid / endo-arterial procedure (76.2%), ureteral stent / endo-arterial procedure (51.6%), and all three procedures (55.4%). Tranexamic acid administration with ureteral stent placement was associated with decreased bladder injury (12.8% vs 23.8-32.2%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that patient characteristics and surgical procedures related to cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum differ based on surgeon specialty. Gynecologic oncologists appear to manage more severe forms of placenta accreta spectrum. Regardless of surgeon's specialty, surgical morbidity of cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum is significant.

Ambient particulate matter air pollution exposure and ovarian cancer incidence in the USA: An ecological study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between air particulate matter of ≤2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5 ) and ovarian cancer. DESIGN: County-level ecological study. SETTING: Surveillance, epidemiology, and end results from a collection of state-level cancer registries across 744 counties. Data from the Environmental Protection Agency's network for PM2.5 monitoring was used to calculate trailing 5- and 10-year PM2.5 county-level values. County-level data on demographic characteristics were obtained from the American Community Survey. POPULATION: A total of 98 751 patients with histologically confirmed ovarian cancer as a primary malignancy from 2000 to 2016. METHODS: Generalised linear regression models were developed to estimate the association between PM2.5 and PM10 levels, over 5- and 10-year periods of exposure, and ovarian cancer risk, after accounting for county-level covariates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk ratios for associations between ovarian cancer (both overall and specifically epithelial ovarian cancer) and PM2.5 levels. RESULTS: For the 744 counties included, the average PM2.5 level from 1990 through 2018 was 11.75 µg/m3 (SD = 3.7) and the average PM10 level was 22.7 µg/m3 (SD = 5.7). After adjusting for county-level covariates, the overall annualised ovarian cancer incidence was significantly associated with increases in 5-year PM2.5 (RR = 1.11 per 10 units (µg/m3 ) increase, 95% CI 1.06-1.16). Similarly, when the analysis was limited to epithelial cell tumours and adjusted for county-level covariates there was a significant association with trailing 5-year PM2.5 exposure models (RR = 1.12 per 10 units increase, 95% CI 1.08-1.17). Likewise, 10-year PM2.5 exposure was associated with ovarian cancer overall and with epithelial ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Higher county-level ambient PM2.5 levels are associated with 5- and 10-year incidences of ovarian cancer, as measurable in an ecological study.

Patterns of use of primary and first-line chemotherapy for recurrence among patients with cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about real-world patterns of chemotherapy use in patients with cervical cancer. OBJECTIVE: To examine the patterns of chemotherapy use in patients with cervical cancer METHODS: We identified patients with cervical cancer in the IBM MarketScan Database who underwent primary hysterectomy or radiation therapy between 2011 and 2020 and described their treatment in the primary setting and at first recurrence. RESULTS: We identified 5390 patients: 2667 (49.5%) underwent primary hysterectomy and 2723 (50.5%) primary radiotherapy. Among patients who underwent primary hysterectomy, 979 (36.7%) received adjuvant radiation, and 617 (23.1%) received primary chemotherapy. The most common chemotherapy regimens were single-agent platinum (51.7%), platinum combination therapy (42.9%), and non-platinum (3.4%). Among patients treated with primary radiation, 73.6% received primary/concurrent chemotherapy, either platinum alone (66.4% of those who received chemotherapy), platinum combinations (32.2%), or non-platinum (1.4%). The median duration of primary chemotherapy was 1.2 months. Therapy for recurrent cervical cancer was initiated in 959 patients. The most common regimens were platinum combination (63.9%), non-platinum cytotoxic agents (16.5%), single-agent platinum (14.9%), targeted therapy with bevacizumab (6.0%), and immunotherapy with pembrolizumab (3.2%). Overall, the proportion of patients treated with single-agent platinum therapy increased from 17.4% in 2011 to 32.1% in 2019, while platinum combinations decreased from 64.1% to 41.5% over the same years. Use of non-platinum agents increased from 18.5% in 2011 to 32.9% in 2018 and 26.4% in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: Platinum-based chemotherapy is the most commonly used therapy in patients with cervical cancer in the primary setting and at the time of recurrence. The rate of use of non-platinum agents at first recurrence has increased over time.

Supramolecular salicylic acid combined with niacinamide in chloasma: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: No trial of supramolecular salicylic acid (SSA) for chloasma is available yet. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of Bole DA 30% supramolecular salicylic acid (SSA) combined with 10% niacinamide in treating chloasma. METHODS: This multicenter (n=15), randomized, double-blind, parallel placebo-controlled trial randomized the subjects (1:1) to Bole DA 30% SSA or placebo. The primary endpoint was the effective rate after 16 weeks using the modified melasma area severity index (mMASI) [(pretreatment-posttreatment)/pretreatment×100%]. RESULTS: This study randomized 300 subjects (150/group in the full analysis set, 144 and 147 in the per-protocol set). The total mMASI score, overall Griffiths 10 score, left Griffiths 10 score, and right Griffiths 10 score were significantly lower in the Bole DA 30% SSA group than in the placebo group (all P<0.001). One study drug-related AE and one study drug-unrelated adverse events (AE) were reported in the Bole DA 30% SSA group. No AE was reported in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Bole DA 30% SSA combined with 10% niacinamide is effective and safe for treating chloasma. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2200065346.

Protective effect of alirocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor, on the sciatic nerve of rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Dyslipidemia has been considered a risk factor for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Proprotein convertase subtilisin-like/Kexin 9 inhibitor (PCSK9) inhibitors are a new type of lipid-lowering drug currently in clinical use. The role of PCSK9 in diabetic peripheral neuropathy is still unclear. In this study, the effect of alirocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor, on the sciatic nerve in rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its underlying mechanisms were investigated. The diabetic peripheral neuropathy rat model was established by using a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin injection, and experimental subjects were divided into normal, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and alirocumab groups. The results showed that Alirocumab improved nerve conduction, morphological changes, and small fiber deficits in rats with DPN, possibly related to its amelioration of oxidative stress and the inflammatory response.

Racial and ethnic differences in type II endometrial cancer mortality outcomes: The contribution of sociodemographic, clinicopathologic, and treatment factors.

OBJECTIVE: The burden of type II endometrial cancer (EC) is rising dramatically in the U.S. Although type II EC disproportionately affects Black women, the magnitude of racial/ethnic differences in type II EC mortality outcomes and factors underlying these differences remain understudied. We examined racial/ethnic differences in cancer-specific and overall mortality in women with type II EC and quantified the extent to which mortality differences are mediated by sociodemographic, clinicopathologic, and treatment factors. METHODS: 14,710 women ≥18 years with type II EC from 2007 to 2016 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The association between race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White [NHW], non-Hispanic Black [NHB], Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander [NHAPI]) and cancer-specific and overall mortality was examined. Mediation analysis was used to identify factors underlying differences in mortality outcomes. RESULTS: NHB women had a higher risk of cancer-specific mortality than NHW women (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.12-1.33), whereas NHAPI (HR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.78-0.99) and Hispanic women (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.81-1.01) had a lower risk of cancer-specific mortality than NHW women. Differences in clinicopathologic (stage, grade, histologic subtype), sociodemographic (insurance type, geographic region and location, neighborhood socioeconomic status), and treatment factors (treatment type, lymphadenectomy) explained 43.5%, 8.1%, and 7.3% of the difference in cancer-specific mortality between NHB and NHW women, respectively. Similar results were noted for overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary and multilevel approaches that integrate and address social and biological factors are needed to reduce the disproportionate burden of type II EC mortality in NHB women.

Heterogeneity of outcomes of endometrial cancer patients included in prospective clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: To assess heterogeneity in five-year overall survival of patients with endometrial cancer using a large retrospective database with cohorts defined by recent prospective clinical trials. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with endometrial cancer who underwent hysterectomy from 2004 to 2016. The reported inclusion criteria for GOG-249, PORTEC-3, and GOG-258 were used to define the respective cohorts. Five-year overall survival for each cohort was stratified by tumor characteristics and adjuvant therapy regimens. RESULTS: A total of 89,133 patients were identified who would have fulfilled the entry criteria to GOG-249, PORTEC-3, or GOG-258. When stratified by tumor characteristics, irrespective of adjuvant therapy, five-year overall survival ranged from 59.9%-81.7% for patients meeting GOG-249 inclusion criteria, 40.2%-81.8% for patients meeting PORTEC-3 inclusion criteria, and 17.5%-75.0% for those meeting GOG-258 inclusion criteria. Analysis of subgroups by adjuvant therapy regimen revealed significant improvement in five-year overall survival for chemoradiotherapy compared to chemotherapy or radiotherapy alone for endometroid stage III and stage IVA disease and for some stages of serous and clear cell histology. CONCLUSIONS: Recent prospective trials of adjuvant therapy for endometrial cancer have included heterogeneous cohorts of patients based on five-year overall survival rates when the populations are stratified by tumor characteristics. The variation in expected five-year overall survival for subsets of patients may result in underpowered studies or misleading results.

Carbon Sequestration Potential of Biomass Production along Highways in China.

In response to climate change, China is making great efforts to increase the green area for carbon sequestration. Road verges, as marginal land with favorable conditions for plant growth and ease of transportation, can be used for biomass production, but the biomass production and carbon sequestration potential have not been assessed. Here, we mapped the biomass production potential of road verges in China by combining a biomass model and Geographic Information System and then evaluated the effect of road runoff and CO2 fertilization on the production according to the runoff coefficient and vehicle emission inventory. Nationwide, road verges can produce 15.86 Mt C yr-1 of biomass. Road runoff contributes to a biomass production of 1.26 Mt C yr-1 through increasing soil water availability, which mainly occurs in arid regions. The CO2 fertilization effect by vehicle emission is considerable in Eastern and Southern China, contributing to a production of 0.09 Mt C yr-1. Life cycle assessment shows that major road verges in China have a carbon sequestration potential of 6.87 Mt C yr-1 currently. Our results revealed that road verges can make a significant contribution to carbon neutrality under proper management.

Risk for adverse maternal outcomes among women with chronic hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether longitudinal health data accounts for end-organ injury or death in the setting of chronic hypertension. DESIGN: Cohort of 64 799 deliveries to 61 854 women. SETTING: US claims data for the preiod 2008-2019. POPULATION: Women with a delivery hospitalisation and chronic hypertension. METHODS: Risk for a composite of acute end-organ injury or death during the delivery hospitalisation and 30 days postpartum was analysed. Adjusted logistic regression models were derived with discrimination for each model estimated by the C-statistic. Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted risk ratios. Starting with models using data from pregnancy, further adjustment was performed accounting for healthcare use in the year prior to pregnancy, including hospitalisations, emergency department encounters, prescription medications and pre-pregnancy diagnoses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Acute end-organ injury or death. RESULTS: The composite outcome occurred among 5.7% of 64 799 deliveries. For patients with commercial insurance, filling non-hypertensive medications from ≥11 different classes, compared with none (adjusted risk ratio, aRR 4.07, 95% CI 2.86-5.79), three or more hospitalisations before pregnancy, compared with none (aRR 4.75, 95% CI 3.46-6.52), and chronic kidney disease diagnosed in the year before pregnancy (aRR 2.35, 95% CI 1.88, 2.94) were associated with increased risk. For pregnancies covered by commercial insurance, the C-statistic increased from 0.615 (95% CI 0.599-0.630) in the model with pregnancy data only to 0.796 (95% CI 0.783-0.808) for the model additionally including healthcare use in the year before pregnancy. Findings with Medicaid were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Prepregnancy care use predicted adverse maternal outcomes. These data may be important in risk stratification.

Satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution.

Quantum key distribution (QKD) uses individual light quanta in quantum superposition states to guarantee unconditional communication security between distant parties. However, the distance over which QKD is achievable has been limited to a few hundred kilometres, owing to the channel loss that occurs when using optical fibres or terrestrial free space that exponentially reduces the photon transmission rate. Satellite-based QKD has the potential to help to establish a global-scale quantum network, owing to the negligible photon loss and decoherence experienced in empty space. Here we report the development and launch of a low-Earth-orbit satellite for implementing decoy-state QKD-a form of QKD that uses weak coherent pulses at high channel loss and is secure because photon-number-splitting eavesdropping can be detected. We achieve a kilohertz key rate from the satellite to the ground over a distance of up to 1,200 kilometres. This key rate is around 20 orders of magnitudes greater than that expected using an optical fibre of the same length. The establishment of a reliable and efficient space-to-ground link for quantum-state transmission paves the way to global-scale quantum networks.

Prescription of hormone replacement therapy among cervical cancer patients with treatment-induced premature menopause.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the utilization of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) among newly diagnosed cervical cancer patients who experienced premature menopause due to primary treatment. METHODS: The MarketScan Databases were used to identify newly diagnosed cervical cancer patients <50 years of age with premature menopause after hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (primary surgery) or primary external beam pelvic radiation (primary radiotherapy). We examined the cumulative utilization of HRT until 24 months after the loss of ovarian function. Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard models were developed to examine the factors associated with cumulative HRT use. The duration of HRT use was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: A total of 1826 patients, including 352 (19.3%) who underwent primary surgery and 1474 (80.7%) who received primary radiotherapy, were identified. Overall, 39.0% of patients received HRT within 24 months of primary treatment. HRT was used in 49.4% of those who underwent primary surgery and in 36.6% of those who received primary radiotherapy (p<0.0001). The median duration of HRT use was 60 days among the entire cohort and was significantly shorter for the primary radiotherapy group than the primary surgery group (35 vs 90 days, p<0.0001). Primary radiotherapy, older age, residency in the Northeastern USA, and Black race were associated with a lower likelihood of HRT use. CONCLUSIONS: HRT was prescribed to less than half of patients with newly diagnosed cervical cancer under the age of 50 who experienced premature menopause due to primary treatment. Among those who used HRT the duration of use was short.

Liquid crystal wavefront correction based on improved machine learning for free-space optical communication.

In order to suppress the impact of atmosphere turbulence on the space laser communication link, the wavefront correction technology of a liquid crystal spatial light modulator (LCSLM) is studied. Combining with the control mode of the LCSLM, we propose an improved deep learning approach that restores the input image features into the wavefront and then controls the LCSLM to compensate for the phase distortion. This method does not have Zernike coefficient truncation and does not require the calculation of coefficient matrices, thus improving the accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm. At the same time, as for its powerful phase fitting ability, the LCSLM can be used as a turbulence simulator to construct datasets. During the training process of the neural networks, a calibration between the LCSLM and deep learning is established. Finally, a spatial optical coupling experimental system is built. The results show that, under different atmospheric conditions, the liquid crystal wavefront correction method has a significant improvement in terminal coupling efficiency and has certain application prospects in the field of free-space optical communication.

Pointing-error correction of optical communication terminals on motion platforms using a parameter model and kernel weight function estimation.

Optical communication terminals (OCTs) with high pointing accuracy on motion platforms are highly important for establishing a global communication network. The pointing accuracy of such OCTs is seriously affected by linear and nonlinear errors generated by various sources. A method based on a parameter model and kernel weight function estimation (KWFE) is proposed to correct the pointing errors of an OCT on a motion platform. Initially, a parameter model, which has a physical meaning, is established to reduce the linear pointing errors. Then, the nonlinear pointing errors are corrected using the proposed KWFE method. Tracking star experiments are conducted to verify the efficiency of the proposed method. The parameter model reduces the initial pointing error associated with the stars used for calibration from 1311.5 µrad to 87.0 µrad. After applying parameter model correction, the KWFE method is applied to further reduce the modified pointing error associated with the stars used for calibration from 87.0 µrad to 70.5 µrad. Additionally, based on the parameter model, the KWFE method reduces the actual open-loop pointing error associated with the target stars from 93.7 µrad to 73.3 µrad. The sequential correction using the parameter model and KWFE can gradually and effectively improve the pointing accuracy of an OCT on a motion platform.

Vibration rejection of phased array telescope systems via disturbance-propagation-characteristics-based feedforward control.

Vibration rejection is one of the key techniques to stabilize the line of sight (LOS) for phased array telescope systems. Conventionally, feedback control based on image sensors is mainly used to correct the tip/tilt errors caused by disturbances and to keep the LOS stable. However, it is restricted by the sampling rate and time delay of image sensors, leading to a limited closed-loop bandwidth. Disturbances in the middle and high frequencies are hard to suppress. In this paper, disturbance-propagation-characteristics-based feedforward control is proposed to overcome these problems. A theoretical imaging model of the phased array telescope is developed to analyze the LOS disruption caused by disturbance. In addition, to improve the disturbance suppression bandwidth and correction accuracy of the system, the disturbance propagation characteristics of the phased array telescope system are analyzed. Combined with the disturbance feedforward, targeted compensation is achieved for the sub-apertures. Finally, a comparative experiment is carried out based on the self-developed Fizeau phased array telescope system to verify the superiority of the proposed method.

New insights on the interaction between m6A modification and non-coding RNA in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are both crucial regulators in human cancer growth and metastasis. However, their regulation on cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is largely unclear. The present study aimed to explore the role of m6A-associated lncRNAs in CSCC. METHODS: We screened the expression of methylation modification-related enzymes in CECC samples from TCGA. The qRT-PCR was used to detect METTL3 and lncRNA METTL4-2 expression. The biological activities of METTL3 in CSCC cells were evaluated by CCK-8, colony formation, transwell, wound healing, and xenograft tumor assays, respectively. The SRAMP tool was used to screen m6A modification sites of METTL4-2. Finally, the quantitative analysis of m6A modification was carried out by MeRIP. RESULTS: METTL3 expression was upregulated in CSCC cells and tissues. Biological function and function loss analysis indicated that METTL3 promoted the migration and proliferation of CSCC cells. In addition, METTL3 promoted CSCC tumor growth in vivo. Mechanically, METTL3 installed the m6A modification and enhanced METTL4-2 transcript stability to increase its expression. Meanwhile, the m6A "reader" YTHDF1 recognized METTL4-2 installed by METTL3 and facilitated the translation of METTL4-2. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study highlights the function and mechanism of METTL3-induced METTL4-2 in CSCC. These findings support that METTL3-stabilized METTL4-2 promoted CSCC progression via a m6A-dependent modality, which provides new insights into therapeutic strategies for CSCC.

Disrupted gut microbiota aggravates spatial memory dysfunction induced by high altitude exposure: A link between plateau environment and microbiome-gut-brain axis.

Approximately 400 million people work and live in high-altitude areas and suffer from memory dysfunction worldwide. Until now, the role of the intestinal flora in plateau-induced brain damage has rarely been reported. To address this, we investigated the effect of intestinal flora on spatial memory impairment induced by high altitudes based on the microbiome-gut-brain axis theory. C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: control, high-altitude (HA), and high-altitude antibiotic treatment (HAA) group. The HA and HAA groups were exposed to a low-pressure oxygen chamber that simulated an altitude of 4000 m above sea level (m. a. s.l.) for 14 days, with the air pressure in the chamber set at 60-65 kPa. The results showed that spatial memory dysfunction induced by the high-altitude environment was aggravated by antibiotic treatment, manifesting as lowered escape latency and hippocampal memory-related proteins (BDNF and PSD-95). 16 S rRNA sequencing showed a remarkable separation of the ileal microbiota among the three groups. Antibiotic treatment exacerbated the reduced richness and diversity of the ileal microbiota in mice in the HA group. Lactobacillaceae were the main target bacteria and were significantly reduced in the HA group, which was exacerbated by antibiotic treatment. Meanwhile, reduced intestinal permeability and ileal immune function in mice exposed high-altitude environment was also aggravated by antibiotic treatment, as indicated by the lowered tight junction proteins and IL-1ß and IFN-γ levels. Furthermore, indicator species analysis and Netshift co-analysis revealed that Lactobacillaceae (ASV11) and Corynebacteriaceae (ASV78, ASV25, and ASV47) play important roles in high-altitude exposure-induced memory dysfunction. Interestingly, ASV78 was negatively correlated with IL-1ß and IFN-γ levels, indicating that ASV78 may be induced by reduced ileal immune function, which mediates high-altitude environment exposure-induced memory dysfunction. This study provides evidence that the intestinal flora is effective in preventing brain dysfunction caused by exposure to high-altitude environments, suggesting a relationship between the microbiome-gut-brain axis and altitude exposure.