Boosting the performance of loss-tolerant measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution.

Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution can remove all possible detector side channels, and is robust against state preparation flaws when further combined with the loss-tolerant method. However, the secure key rate in this scenario is relatively low, thus hindering its practical application. Here, we first present a four-intensity decoy-state protocol where the signal intensity is modulated only in Z basis for key generation while the decoy intensities are modulated in both Z and X bases for parameter estimation. Moreover, we adopt collective constraint and joint-study strategy in statistical fluctuation analysis. We have also experimentally demonstrated this protocol and the result indicates high performance and good security for practical applications.

Experimental measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution with the double-scanning method.

The measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) can be immune to all detector side-channel attacks. Moreover, it can be easily implemented combining with the matured decoy-state methods under current technology. It, thus, seems a very promising candidate in practical implementation of quantum communications. However, it suffers from a severe finite-data-size effect in most existing MDI-QKD protocols, resulting in relatively low key rates. Recently, Jiang et al. [Phys. Rev. A103, 012402 (2021).PLRAAN1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.103.012402] proposed a double-scanning method to drastically increase the key rate of MDI-QKD. Based on Jiang et al.'s theoretical work, here we for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, implement the double-scanning method into MDI-QKD and carry out corresponding experimental demonstration. With a moderate number of pulses of 1010, we can achieve 150 km secure transmission distance, which is impossible with all former methods. Therefore, our present work paves the way toward practical implementation of MDI-QKD.

Histone Modifications Regulate the Developmental Expression of Human Hepatic UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase 1A1.

Human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) is a unique enzyme involved in bilirubin conjugation. We previously characterized the hepatic expression of transcription factors affecting UGT1A1 expression during development. Accordingly, in this study, we characterized the ontogenetic expression of hepatic UGT1A1 from the perspective of epigenetic regulation. We observed significant histone-3-lysine-4 dimethylation (H3K4me2) enrichment in the adult liver and histone-3-lysine-27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) enrichment in the fetal liver, indicating that dynamic alterations of histone methylation were associated with ontogenetic UGT1A1 expression. We further showed that the transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1A) affects histone modifications around the UGT1A1 locus. In particular, we demonstrated that by recruiting HNF1A the cofactors mixed-lineage leukemia 1, the transcriptional coactivator p300, and nuclear receptor coactivator 6 aggregate at the UGT1A1 promoter, thereby regulating histone modifications and subsequent UGT1A1 expression. In this study, we proposed new ideas for the developmental regulation of metabolic enzymes via histone modifications, and our findings will potentially contribute to the development of age-specific therapies.

Effects of UGT1A1*6, UGT1A1*28, and ABCB1-3435C>T polymorphisms on irinotecan induced toxicity in Chinese cancer patients.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to investigate whether UGT1A1*6/*28 or ABCB1-3435C>T polymorphisms affect irinotecan-induced severe diarrhea and neutropenia in Chinese cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 157 cancer patients was enrolled in this study and the genotypes of UGT1A1*6/*28 and ABCB1-3435C>T polymorphisms were analyzed by PCRSanger sequence. The relationship between UGT1A1*6/*28 and ABCB1-3435C>T polymorphisms and irinotecan induced severe diarrhea and neutropenia were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 polymorphisms were associated with severe neutropenia (p = 0.025, p = 0.022, respectively) but not diarrhea (p = 0.343, p = 0.185, respectively), and ABCB1- 3435C>T polymorphism was not associated with irinotecan induced severe toxicities (p = 0.457, p = 0.161, respectively).

Computational modeling of endovascular peripheral nerve stimulation using a stent-mounted electrode array.

Objective.Endovascular neuromodulation has attracted substantial interest in recent years as a minimally invasive approach to treat neurological disorders. In this study, we investigated with a computational model the feasibility of stimulating peripheral nerves with an endovascular stent-mounted electrode array.Approach.Anatomically realistic FEM models were constructed for the pudendal and vagal neurovascular bundles. The electromagnetic fields generated from electrical stimuli were computed using Sim4Life NEURON models to predict dynamic axonal responses.Main results.The models predict that the stimulation thresholds of the endovascular stent-electrode array configurations tested are comparable to that of ring electrodes and are dependent on the inter-electrode distance and orientation of the device. Arranging multiple electrodes along the longitudinal axis of the nerve lowers surface charge density without sacrificing axon recruitment, whereas arranging electrodes along the circumference of the blood vessel reduces the risk of misalignment but lowers axon recruitment.Significance.Overall, this study predicts that the endovascular stent-electrode array is a feasible stimulation option for peripheral nerves, and the electrode array can be flexibly optimized to achieve the lowest stimulation threshold.

Eriodictyol attenuates TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis through repressing TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway in rats.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease characterized by mucosal and submucosal inflammation, which has a low cure rate and is prone to relapse, due to the immune imbalance of the body. Inhibition of inflammation-related pathways can delay the progression of UC. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway is considered to be one of the important signaling pathways involved in colon inflammation. Eriodictyol (EDT) is a natural flavonoid widely distributed in foodborne plants. EDT plays an important role in the regulation of inflammation and related signaling pathways. However, whether EDT plays a role in UC remains unknown. Herein, we established a TNBS induced animal model of enteritis in Wistar rats. Our data confirmed the establishment of TNBS induced animal model of enteritis and the administration Eriodictyol in Wistar rats. EDT treatment alleviated TNBS-induced intestinal tissue injury in rats. We further found that EDT reduced MPO expression and regulated the cytokine parameters in TNBS-induced intestinal tissues of rats. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-2, and IL-12 were also affected by the treatment of EDT. EDT also affected SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and MDA level in rats with colitis. Moreover, EDT regulated TNBS-induced TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation, therefore inhibiting the progression of UC. Our results suggest that EDT could be a potential therapeutic agent for UC.

Astragalus polysaccharide suppresses excessive collagen accumulation in a murine model of bleomycin-induced scleroderma.

Systemic scleroderma is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrotic changes in skin and other organs involving excessive collagen deposition. The transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) signaling pathway plays a key role in the fibrotic process in systemic scleroderma (SSc). Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) isolated from one of the Chinese herbs, Astragalus mongholicus, are known to have a variety of immunomodulatory activities. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of APS on TGF-ß signaling and its potential mechanism using a murine model of bleomycin-induced scleroderma. Scleroderma was induced in C3H/He N mice by subcutaneous bleomycin injections daily for 21 days. Skin samples were obtained 7, 14, and 21 days and TGF-ß1, Smad2, Smad3 mRNA expression was observed by real time PCR. The hydroxyproline content which consistent with the collagen content in skin samples from the BLM-injected group was significantly higher than the PBS group, and corresponded with dermal thickening at the injection site. In contrast, mice treated with APS after initiating BLM injection showed obviously lesser collagen content. Increased TGF-ß1, Smad2, Smad3 mRNA expression were also observed in the BLM group. TGF-ß1, Smad2, Smad3 expression was significantly lesser for the APS group than for the BLM group. In contrast, TGF-ß1 mRNA expression was remarkably inhibited by APS. These results suggest that APS treatment may inhibit TGF-ß1 production, and thus could be a potential drug for managing fibrotic disorders such as SSc.

Development of a rat model of D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide induced hepatorenal syndrome.

AIM: To develop a practical and reproducible rat model of hepatorenal syndrome for further study of the pathophysiology of human hepatorenal syndrome. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were intravenously injected with D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via the tail vein to induce fulminant hepatic failure to develop a model of hepatorenal syndrome. Liver and kidney function tests and plasma cytokine levels were measured after D-galactosamine/LPS administration, and hepatic and renal pathology was studied. Glomerular filtration rate was detected in conscious rats using micro-osmotic pump technology with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled inulin as a surrogate marker. RESULTS: Serum levels of biochemical indicators including liver and kidney function indexes and cytokines all significantly changed, especially at 12 h after D-galactosamine/LPS administration [alanine aminotransferase, 3389.5 ± 499.5 IU/L; blood urea nitrogen, 13.9 ± 1.3 mmol/L; Cr, 78.1 ± 2.9 µmol/L; K(+), 6.1 ± 0.5 mmol/L; Na(+), 130.9 ± 1.9 mmol/L; Cl(-), 90.2 ± 1.9 mmol/L; tumor necrosis factor-α, 1699.6 ± 599.1 pg/mL; endothelin-1, 95.9 ± 25.9 pg/mL; P < 0.05 compared with normal saline control group]. Hepatocyte necrosis was aggravated gradually, which was most significant at 12 h after treatment with D-galactosamine/LPS, and was characterized by massive hepatocyte necrosis, while the structures of glomeruli, proximal and distal tubules were normal. Glomerular filtration rate was significantly decreased to 30%-35% of the control group at 12 h after D-galactosamine/LPS administration [Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)1, 0.79 ± 0.11 mL/min; GFR2, 3.58 ± 0.49 mL/min·kgBW(-1); GFR3, 0.39 ± 0.99 mL/min·gKW(-1)]. The decreasing timing of GFR was consistent with that of the presence of hepatocyte necrosis and liver and kidney dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The joint use of D-galactosamine and LPS can induce liver and kidney dysfunction and decline of glomerular filtration rate in rats which is a successful rat model of hepatorenal syndrome.

Esophago-Cardial-Gastric Tunneling Peritoneoscopy: In Vivo Dog Survival Study.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic peritoneoscopy is typically performed by using a rigid laparoscope. Inspired by gastric submucosal tunneling for peritoneal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery access and peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of achalasia, we developed a novel esophago-cardial-gastric tunneling (ECGT) peritoneoscopy technique with a flexible endoscope. This study aims to evaluate its feasibility and safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 10 Beagle dogs. A longitudinal mucosal incision was made on the esophageal wall, and a submucosal tunnel was created through the cardia into the stomach. An incision was made in the muscular layer of the stomach, and then the endoscope was advanced into the peritoneal cavity. Peritoneoscopy with the flexible endoscope was performed. After intraperitoneal exploration, the esophageal mucosal entry was closed with endoclips. All dogs resumed food intake 12 hours after the procedures. Diets, behavior, and body temperature of all of the dogs were observed. Endoscopic examinations were performed 4 weeks after the procedure, and then the animals were sacrificed for necropsy. RESULTS: The ECGT peritoneoscopy was successfully done in all dogs. Diets, behavior, and body temperature were normal in all dogs. The entry of the esophagus was healed well in 9 dogs; the mucosa of the entry was torn in 1 dog, but the submucosal tunnel was healed well at the cardia. Necropsy showed complete closure of the gastric serosal exit, and no intraperitoneal abscess was found. Histopathological examinations showed submucosal tunnels healed well. CONCLUSIONS: The ECGT peritoneoscopy is feasible and safe for peritoneal exploration. It should be a good choice for the clinical application of diagnostic peritoneoscopy.

Sinapic acid derivatives from the seeds of Raphanus nussatirus L.

A new disulfide glycoside, raphthioglucoside (1), and a new sinapic acid derivative, sinapic acid 5-hydroxymethylfurfural ester (2), together with sinapic acid (3) have been isolated from the seeds of Raphanus nussatirus L. The structures of compounds 1-3 were determined based on chemical analysis and spectroscopic methods (UV, 1D and 2D NMR, HRFABMS, HREIMS and elemental analysis).