Improving the performance of reference-frame-independent quantum key distribution with advantage distillation technology.

The reference-frame-independent quantum key distribution (RFI-QKD) has the advantage of tolerating reference frames that slowly vary. It can generate secure keys between two remote users with slowly drifted and unknown reference frames. However, the drift of reference frames may inevitably compromise the performance of QKD systems. In the paper, we employ the advantage distillation technology (ADT) to the RFI-QKD and the RFI measurement-device-independent QKD (RFI MDI-QKD), and we then analyze the effect of ADT on the performance of decoy-state RFI-QKD and RFI MDI-QKD in both asymptotic and nonasymptotic cases. The simulation results show that ADT can significantly improve the maximum transmission distance and the maximum tolerable background error rate. Furthermore, the performance of RFI-QKD and RFI MDI-QKD in terms of the secret key rate and maximum transmission distance are still greatly improved when statistical fluctuations are taken into account. Our work combines the merits of the ADT and RFI-QKD protocols, which further enhances the robustness and practicability of QKD systems.

Security Analysis of Sending or Not-Sending Twin-Field Quantum Key Distribution with Weak Randomness.

Sending-or-not sending twin-field quantum key distribution (SNS TF-QKD) has the advantage of tolerating large amounts of misalignment errors, and its key rate can exceed the linear bound of repeaterless quantum key distribution. However, the weak randomness in a practical QKD system may lower the secret key rate and limit its achievable communication distance, thus compromising its performance. In this paper, we analyze the effects of the weak randomness on the SNS TF-QKD. The numerical simulation shows that SNS TF-QKD can still have an excellent performance under the weak random condition: the secret key rate can exceed the PLOB boundary and achieve long transmission distances. Furthermore, our simulation results also show that SNS TF-QKD is more robust to the weak randomness loopholes than the BB84 protocol and the measurement-device-independent QKD (MDI-QKD). Our results emphasize that keeping the randomness of the states is significant to the protection of state preparation devices.

Sending or Not-Sending Twin-Field Quantum Key Distribution with Flawed and Leaky Sources.

Twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) has attracted considerable attention and developed rapidly due to its ability to surpass the fundamental rate-distance limit of QKD. However, the device imperfections may compromise its practical implementations. The goal of this paper is to make it robust against the state preparation flaws (SPFs) and side channels at the light source. We adopt the sending or not-sending (SNS) TF-QKD protocol to accommodate the SPFs and multiple optical modes in the emitted states. We analyze that the flaws of the phase modulation can be overcome by regarding the deviation of the phase as phase noise and eliminating it with the post-selection of phase. To overcome the side channels, we extend the generalized loss-tolerant (GLT) method to the four-intensity decoy-state SNS protocol. Remarkably, by decomposing of the two-mode single-photon states, the phase error rate can be estimated with only four parameters. The practical security of the SNS protocol with flawed and leaky source can be guaranteed. Our results might constitute a crucial step towards guaranteeing the practical implementation of the SNS protocol.

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Alligator Weed Leaves Reveals That Cationic Peroxidase 1 Plays Vital Roles in the Potassium Deficiency Stress Response.

Alligator weed is reported to have a strong ability to adapt to potassium deficiency (LK) stress. Leaves are the primary organs responsible for photosynthesis of plants. However, quantitative proteomic changes in alligator weed leaves in response to LK stress are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the physiological and proteomic changes in leaves of alligator weed under LK stress. We found that chloroplast and mesophyll cell contents in palisade tissue increased, and that the total chlorophyll content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and net photosynthetic rate (PN) increased after 15 day of LK treatment, but the soluble protein content decreased. Quantitative proteomic analysis suggested that a total of 119 proteins were differentially abundant proteins (DAPs). KEGG analysis suggested that most represented DAPs were associated with secondary metabolism, the stress response, photosynthesis, protein synthesis, and degradation pathway. The proteomic results were verified using parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (PRM-MS) analysis and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)assays. Additional research suggested that overexpression of cationic peroxidase 1 of alligator weed (ApCPX1) in tobacco increased LK tolerance. The seed germination rate, peroxidase (POD) activity, and K+ content increased, and the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content decreased in the three transgenic tobacco lines after LK stress. The number of root hairs of the transgenic line was significantly higher than that of WT, and net K efflux rates were severely decreased in the transgenic line under LK stress. These results confirmed that ApCPX1 played positive roles in low-K+ signal sensing. These results provide valuable information on the adaptive mechanisms in leaves of alligator weed under LK stress and will help identify vital functional genes to apply to the molecular breeding of LK-tolerant plants in the future.

Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Distillates Purified by Means of Molecular Distillation from Ginger Extract Obtained with Supercritical CO2 Fluid.

The ginger extract obtained with supercritical CO2 fluid was purified by molecular distillation (MD), and the chemical compositions, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of ginger extract and its distillates were investigated. Analysis revealed that the ginger extract was rich in terpene hydrocarbons, along with oxygenated terpenes and other non-volatile compounds. The MD distillates were prepared in a series of stages and the active compounds like terpenes and gingerols could be separated by MD. The major compounds of the distillates purified by MD at 40 °C, 80 Pa and 60 °C, 80 Pa were terpene hydrocarbons. Additional distillates obtained by MD at 80 °C, 80 Pa and 100 °C, 60 Pa were predominated by terpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated terpenes. Until the operating conditions of MD reached 150 °C and 2 Pa, some non-volatile compounds were concentrated in the final distillate. Moreover, antioxidant activities and the cytotoxic effects on three human cancer cells in final MD distillate were superior to other extracts, and this phenomenon could be mainly supported by the phenols. The MD could be used to prepare ginger distillates with better antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.

Physiological Analysis and Proteome Quantification of Alligator Weed Stems in Response to Potassium Deficiency Stress.

The macronutrient potassium is essential to plant growth, development and stress response. Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) has a high tolerance to potassium deficiency (LK) stress. The stem is the primary organ responsible for transporting molecules from the underground root system to the aboveground parts of the plant. However, proteomic changes in response to LK stress are largely unknown in alligator weed stems. In this study, we investigated the physiological and proteomic changes in alligator weed stems under LK stress. First, the chlorophyll and soluble protein content and SOD and POD activity were significantly altered after 15 days of LK treatment. The quantitative proteomic analysis suggested that a total of 296 proteins were differentially abundant proteins (DAPs). The functional annotation analysis revealed that LK stress elicited complex proteomic alterations that were involved in oxidative phosphorylation, plant-pathogen interactions, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, sugar metabolism, and transport in stems. The subcellular locations analysis suggested 104 proteins showed chloroplastic localization, 81 proteins showed cytoplasmic localization and 40 showed nuclear localization. The protein⁻protein interaction analysis revealed that 56 proteins were involved in the interaction network, including 9 proteins involved in the ribosome network and 9 in the oxidative phosphorylation network. Additionally, the expressed changes of 5 DAPs were similar between the proteomic quantification analysis and the PRM-MS analysis, and the expression levels of eight genes that encode DAPs were further verified using an RT-qPCR analysis. These results provide valuable information on the adaptive mechanisms in alligator weed stems under LK stress and facilitate the development of efficient strategies for genetically engineering potassium-tolerant crops.

Physiological and quantitative proteomic analyses unraveling potassium deficiency stress response in alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides L.) root.

KEY MESSAGE: Physiological and iTRAQ based proteomic analysis provided new insights into potassium deficiency stress response in alligator weed root. Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) has a strong ability to adapt to potassium deficiency (LK) stress. Proteomic changes in response to this stress are largely unknown in alligator weed. In this study, we investigated physiological and molecular mechanisms under LK using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation to characterize proteome-level changes in this plant. First, root physiology, 2, 3, 5-Triphenyl-trazolium chloride (TTC) assay and peroxidase activity were significantly altered after 10 and 15 days of LK treatment. The comparative proteomic analysis suggested a total of 375 proteins were differential abundance proteins. The proteomic results were verified by western blot assays and quantitative real-time PCR. Correlation analysis of transcription and proteomics suggested protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, endocytosis, and spliceosome pathways were significantly enriched. The protein responsible for energy metabolism, signal sensing and transduction and protein degradation played crucial roles in this stress. Twelve ubiquitin pathway related proteins were identified in our study, among them 11 proteins were up-regulated. All protein ubiquitination of lysine using pan antibodies were also increased after LK treatment. Our study provide a valuable insights of molecular mechanism underlying LK stress response in alligator weed roots and afford a vital basis to further study potassium nutrition molecular breeding of other plant species.

Carexlinanensis (sect. Mitratae), a new species of Cyperaceae from Zhejiang, East China.

Carexlinanensis X.D.Qiu & X.F.Jin, a new species in sect. Mitratae of the sedge family (Cyperaceae) from north-western Zhejiang is described and illustrated. We performed a statistical comparison of the new species with other closely-related species from the same section. Carexlinanensis is similar to Carexsachalinensis F.Schmidt, but differs in having leaf blades 1-2 mm wide (vs. 2.5-3.5 mm wide), utricles longer than pistillate glumes, with beak margin smooth (vs. barbate) and peduncles of lateral spikes enclosed in bract sheaths (vs. exserted from bract sheaths).

Efficacy and feasibility of vein of Marshall ethanol infusion during persistent atrial fibrillation ablation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation (CA) is currently used to treat persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF). However, its effectiveness is limited. This study aimed to estimate the effectiveness of the vein of Marshall absolute ethanol injection (VOM-EI) for PeAF ablation. HYPOTHESIS: Adjunctive vein of Marshall ethanol injection (VOM-EI) strategies are more effective than conventional catheter ablation (CA) and have similar safety outcomes. METHODS: We extensively searched the literature for studies evaluating the effectiveness and safety of VOM-EI + CA compared with CA alone. The primary endpoint was the rate of acute bidirectional block of the isthmus of the mitral annulus (MIBB). The secondary endpoints were atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial tachycardia (AT) recurrence over 30 seconds after a 3-month blanking period. Weighted pooled risk ratios (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random effects model. RESULTS: Based on the selection criteria, nine studies were included in this systematic review, including patients with AF (n = 2508), persistent AF (n = 1829), perimitral flutter (n = 103), and perimitral AT (n = 165). There were 1028 patients in the VOM-EI + CA group and 1605 in the CA alone group. The VOM-EI + CA group showed a lower rate of AF/AT relapse (RR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.53-0.91; p = .008) and a higher rate of acute MIBB (RR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.11-1.50; p = .0007) than the CA alone group. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis revealed that adjunctive VOM-EI strategies are more effective than conventional CA and have similar safety outcomes.

Carexduanensis (Carexsect.Rhomboidales), a new species of Cyperaceae from limestone areas of Guangxi, China.

Carexduanensis Z.C.Lu, Y.F.Lu & X.F.Jin, a new species in limestone areas of Guangxi, China, was discovered and described. The morphology showed that C.duanensis is similar to C.calcicola, but differs in having culms central, leaf blades 3-5.5 mm wide, bracts longer than spikes, utricles 4-5 mm long, shorter, and nutlets abruptly contracted into an erect beak at apex. SEM microphotographs of utricles and nutlets are provided for the new and related species, C.calcicola.

Clinical effect of vein of Marshall ethanol infusion on mitral isthmus ablation.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Marshall ethanol infusion (VOM-Et) in the vein on mitral isthmus (MI) ablation. Methods: Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) were grouped into vein of VOM-Et combined with radiofrequency (RF) ablation (VOM-Et-RF) and RF groups. The primary outcome was MI block immediate block rate after surgery. Stratified analysis was also performed for factors affecting the outcome measures. Results: A total of 118 consecutive patients underwent AF ablation at Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province from January 2018 to December 2021. Successful bidirectional perimitral block was achieved in 96% of patients in VOM-Et-RF (69 of 72) and in 76% of patients in the RF group (35 of 46) (P < 0.01). In the subgroup analysis, male sex, elder than 60 years, Left atrial diameter <55 mm, and AF duration <3 years were associated with the benefits of VOM-Et in AF Patients. Conclusion: The vein of Marshall ethanol infusion for catheter ablation can improve the MI block rate. Male sex, elder age, smaller Left atrial diameter and shorter AF duration may have significant benefits for VOM-Et.

Notes on Carex (Cyperaceae) from China (IX): three new species of section Mitratae s.l.

Carexsect.Mitratae s.l. was established by Kükenthal in 1909 and can be distinguished from the closely related sections in having nutlets frequently discoid-annulate at the apex and a persistent style base. Based on field surveys and specimen examination, three new species of sect. Mitratae are described and illustrated here. Carexfatsuaniana was collected from Yunnan and differs from C.truncatigluma in having the utricles nearly glabrous, the nutlets with a ca. 0.5 mm long beak at the apex, the staminate spikes cylindrical, 5-7.5 cm long, 4-5 mm wide, and the pistillate glumes acuminate at the apex. Carexdamingshanica was collected from Guangxi and differs from C.breviscapa and C.rhynchachaenium in having 3 or 4 spikes, the lateral spikes cylindrical, the pistillate glumes, utricles and nutlets all shorter than in the other two species. Carexradicalispicula was collected from Sichuan and differs from C.truncatirostris in having the staminate spikes clavate, 1.5-2 mm wide, the pistillate glumes pale yellow-white, 3-3.2 mm long, acuminate or short-awned at the apex, and the nutlets with 3 angles shallowly constricted at the middle.

Notes on Carex (Cyperaceae) from China (VIII): five new species and a new variety from southern and south-western China.

Our field surveys and specimen examination of Carex from southern to south-western regions in China resulted in the discovery of five new species and one new variety, which are here named as Carexbrevihispida X.F.Jin & Y.F.Lu (in sect. Surculosae), C.puberuliutriculata Y.F.Lu & X.F.Jin (sect. Clandestinae), C.paratatsiensis Y.F.Lu & X.F.Jin (sect. Aulocystis), C.huanjiangensis S.Yun Liang ex Y.F.Lu & X.F.Jin (sect. Decorae), C.liangiana X.F.Jin & Y.F.Lu and C.thibeticaFranch.var.angustifolia X.F.Jin & Y.F.Lu (sect. Rhomboidales).

Carex borealifujianica (Cyperaceae), a new species of the core Carex clade from Fujian, southeastern China.

A new species, Carex borealifujianica Y.F. Lu & X.F. Jin (Cyperaceae, sect. Occlusae of core Carex clade) is described and illustrated from northern Fujian, China. In addition to morphological comparisons with its relatives, comparative micromorphology of utricles and achenes of seven species in Carex sect. Occlusae was examined. Micromorphology of utricles and achenes revealed the similarity of Carex borealifujianica and C. ligulata. Morphologically, this new species is similar to Carex ligulata in having lateral spikes remote and densely flowered, as well as utricles densely hispidulous, but differs in having 2 or 3 narrowly clavate staminate spikes, leaves 2.5-5 mm wide with sheaths sparsely pilose, and achenes emarginate at the apex. The phylogenetic analysis from two nuclear DNA regions (ETS and ITS) and two chloroplast DNA regions (matK and trnL-F) of 68 taxa resolved C. borealifujianica as a distinct species.

Torreyadapanshanica (Taxaceae), a new species of gymnosperm from Zhejiang, East China.

Torreyadapanshanica X.F.Jin, Y.F.Lu & Zi L.Chen, a new species endemic to central Zhejiang, East China, is described and illustrated. This new species is most similar to T.jiulongshanensis (Z.Y.Li, Z.C.Tang & N.Kang) C.C.Pan, J.L.Liu & X.F.Jin, but differs in having leaves with an acuminate apex (vs. leaves with an acute apex), broadly ovoid-globose or globose seeds (vs. obovoid to narrowly obovoid seeds), slightly emarginate at the apex and obtuse-rounded at the base (vs. both acute at the apex and base), testa with irregular shallow grooves (vs. testa smooth or sometimes slightly concave). The diagnostic characters are critically compared and an IUCN assessment for the risk to the new species is estimated.

Physiological and proteomic analyses of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-treated tubers reveals that StPOD42 promotes sprouting in potato.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a nonproteinogenic amino acid that plays vital roles in plant growth and developmental processes. However, its role in regulating potato sprouting is unknown. Therefore, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the sprouting process were assessed, and we found that GABA promoted sprouting after treatment for 50 d. In addition, the GABA and soluble sugar contents increased while the starch content decreased. To study the molecular mechanism by which exogenous GABA accelerates tuber sprouting, comparative proteomic analysis of tuber bud eyes was performed after GABA treatment for 48 h. Further analysis revealed 316 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) that are mainly involved in fatty acid and sugar metabolism and cutin, suberin and wax biosyntheses. The qRT‒PCR results suggested that the GABA transaminase 2 (GABA-T2) and GABA-T3 expression levels showed the greatest decrease at 30 d of storage. Peroxidase 42 (StPOD42) expression showed the greatest increase at 30 d. Overexpression of StPOD42 in potato was found to promote tuber sprouting. Our results provide new insights into the role of GABA in regulating the sprouting process and indicate that StPOD42 is a target gene for molecular breeding to modulate potato sprouting.

Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan on the Expression of CaMKII/Cav1.2 in Atrial Fibrillation Stimulation Rabbit Model.

Methods: Overall, 18 rabbits were randomly divided into control, pacing (600 beats/min), and pacing+sac/val groups. The rabbits in the pacing+sac/val cohort received oral sac/val (10 mg/kg twice daily) across the 21-day investigation period. After three weeks, the atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and AF induction rate were compared. HL-1 cultures were exposed to fast pacing (24 h) with and without LBQ657 (active sacubitril form)/valsartan. Western blots were used for detecting Cav1.2 and CaMKII expression within atrial muscles of the rabbits and HL-1 cultures of AF model. Results: In comparison to the sham cohort, the AF induction rate was markedly increased together with AERP reduction within pacing cohort. Such changes were markedly rescued through sac/val treatment in pacing+sac/val cohort. The proteomic expression profiles of CaMKII and Cav1.2 showed that the CaMKII expression was markedly upregulated, while Cav1.2 expression was downregulated in the pacing cohort. Importantly, these effects were absent in pacing+sac/val cohort. Conclusion: Results of this study show that sac/val treatment regulates the expression of CaMKII/Cav1.2 and could alter this pathway in atrial rapid electrical stimulation models. Therefore, this investigation could contribute to a novel strategy in AF therapeutics in clinical settings.

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of a complement C3 molecule in the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides).

Complement component C3 is a key molecule in the complement system whose activation is essential for all the important functions performed by this system. In this study, we examined a temperature-subtracted library from the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides), and identified a sequence with high similarity to other complement C3 proteins. Rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (RACE) yielded the full open reading frame of this protein, and subsequent analysis indicated that the Ec-C3 (E. coioides-C3) gene encodes a protein of 1657 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 184.56 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence showed that Ec-C3 has conserved residues and domains known to be critical for C3 function. RT-PCR assays showed that under normal physiological conditions Ec-C3 mRNA is most strongly expressed in the liver, but relatively high levels were also found in many other tissues, including intestine, muscles, gills, hemocytes, heart, spleen, head, kidney and brain. Further analysis of Ec-C3 gene expression in liver tissue by quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated that Ec-C3 transcript levels increased when the fish were exposed to both pH and temperature stress, but the time when its expression level peaked differed under these stresses. The results show that Ec-C3 mRNA expression in the orange-spotted grouper is influenced by pH and temperature stress and that Ec-C3 may play an important role in antioxidation mechanisms.

Neurotrophin-3 gene transduction of mouse neural stem cells promotes proliferation and neuronal differentiation in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures.

BACKGROUND: The transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) has been accepted as a promising therapeutic strategy for central nervous system disorders. However, the beneficial effect of NSC transplantation upon functional recovery is limited due to the unfavorable microenvironment (niche) at the site of trauma or degenerative disease in the brain. Combination of transplantation of NSCs with neurotrophins may overcome the hurdles of impaired cell survival and neuronal differentiation. MATERIAL/METHODS: In the current study, the neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) gene was transduced into cultured mouse embryonic cortical NSCs via an AAV vector (NSC-NT-3). The effect of NT-3 over-expression on cell proliferation and differentiation in NSCs was observed by immunohistochemistry, cell culture and organotypic hippocampal slice cultures.
RESULTS: The characteristics of self-renewal and multiple differentiation of NSCs were well-preserved. Cells in the NSC-NT-3 group proliferated faster and differentiated into more ß-tubulin III-positive neurons compared to the control group in vitro. Furthermore, cells in the NSC-NT-3 group survived in a significantly higher percentage and undertook neuronal differentiation preferably in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the transduction of NT-3 into NSCs could effectively promote NSCs survival, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation in vitro without change of the stemness of NSCs. This work also offers evidence to better understand the safety and efficiency of combined treatment with NT-3 and NSCs for the central nervous system disorders.

Two new species and a new combination from Zhejiang, East China.

As the supplement of the flora of Zhejiang, East China, two new species were described with illustrations. Cerastiumhuadingense Y.F.Lu, W.Y.Xie & X.F.Jin (Caryophyllaceae) differs from C.qingliangfengicum in having sterile stems absent, leaves sessile, petals slightly longer than sepals, and stamens slightly shorter than sepals. Ixeridiumdimorphifolium Y.L.Xu, Y.F.Lu & X.Cai (Asteraceae) differs from I.beauverdianum in having plant stoloniferous, basal leaves dimorphic, involucre 8‒10 mm long, inner phyllaries 8, and florets 7‒10. Paraphlomissetulosa C.Y.Wu & H.W.Li (Lamiaceae) was reviewed and morphological characters of the corolla and stamens of its type and the specimens collected in the field survey were critically examined. With barbate anthers and strongly divergent anther cells, Paraphlomissetulosa was transferred to Sinopogonanthera, and S.setulosa (C.Y.Wu & H.W.Li) H.W.Zhang & X.F.Jin was consequently combined.