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Hybrid quantum systems based on magnons in magnetic materials have made significant progress in the past decade. They are built based on the couplings of magnons with microwave photons, optical photons, vibration phonons, and superconducting qubits. In particular, the interactions among magnons, microwave cavity photons, and vibration phonons form the system of cavity magnomechanics (CMM), which lies in the interdisciplinary field of cavity QED, magnonics, quantum optics, and quantum information. Here, we review the experimental and theoretical progress of this emerging field. We first introduce the underlying theories of the magnomechanical coupling, and then some representative classical phenomena that have been experimentally observed, including magnomechanically induced transparency, magnomechanical dynamical backaction, magnon-phonon cross-Kerr nonlinearity, etc. We also discuss a number of theoretical proposals, which show the potential of the CMM system for preparing different kinds of quantum states of magnons, phonons, and photons, and hybrid systems combining magnomechanics and optomechanics and relevant quantum protocols based on them. Finally, we summarize this review and provide an outlook for the future research directions in this field.

Abnormal mitochondrial fission participates in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as new players in gene regulation, but how lncRNAs operate in the regulation of mitochondrial network is unclear. Here we report that a lncRNA, named cardiac apoptosis-related lncRNA (CARL), can suppress mitochondrial fission and apoptosis by targeting miR-539 and PHB2. The results show that PHB2 is able to inhibit mitochondrial fission and apoptosis. miR-539 is responsible for the dysfunction of PHB2 and regulates mitochondrial fission and apoptosis by targeting PHB2. Further, we show that CARL can act as an endogenous miR-539 sponge that regulates PHB2 expression, mitochondrial fission and apoptosis. Our present study reveals a model of mitochondrial fission regulation that is composed of CARL, miR-539 and PHB2. Modulation of their levels may provide a new approach for tackling apoptosis and myocardial infarction. The prohibitin complex promotes cell survival by regulating mitochondrial morphogenesis. Wang et al. identify a long non-coding RNA that regulates this complex in cardiomyocytes by acting as a sponge to downregulate a prohibitin-targetting miRNA, protecting cells from apoptosis in anoxic conditions.

Abstract Objective Metabolic signatures have emerged as valuable signaling molecules in the biochemical process of type 2 diabetes (T2D). To summarize and identify metabolic biomarkers in T2D, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the associations between metabolites and T2D using high-throughput metabolomics techniques. Methods We searched relevant studies from MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library as well as Chinese databases (Wanfang, Vip, and CNKI) inception through 31 December 2018. Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 14.0 under random effect. Besides, bioinformatic analysis was performed to explore molecule mechanism by MetaboAnalyst and R 3.5.2. Results Finally, 46 articles were included in this review on metabolites involved amino acids, acylcarnitines, lipids, carbohydrates, organic acids, and others. Results of meta-analysis in prospective studies indicated that isoleucine, leucine, valine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, glutamate, alanine, valerylcarnitine (C5), palmitoylcarnitine (C16), palmitic acid, and linoleic acid were associated with higher T2D risk. Conversely, serine, glutamine, and lysophosphatidylcholine C18:2 decreased risk of T2D. Arginine and glycine increased risk of T2D in the Western countries subgroup, and betaine was negatively correlated with T2D in nested case-control subgroup. In addition, slight improvements in T2D prediction beyond traditional risk factors were observed when adding these metabolites in predictive analysis. Pathway analysis identified 17 metabolic pathways may alter in the process of T2D and metabolite-related genes were also enriched in functions and pathways associated with T2D. Conclusions Several metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with T2D have been identified, which provide valuable biomarkers and novel targets for prevention and drug therapy.

Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides a promising solution for sharing information-theoretic secure keys between remote peers with physics-based protocols. According to the law of quantum physics, the photons carrying signals cannot be amplified or relayed via classical optical techniques to maintain quantum security. As a result, the transmission loss of the channel limits its achievable distance, and this has been a huge barrier towards building large-scale quantum-secure networks. Here we present an experimental QKD system that could tolerate a channel loss beyond 140 dB and obtain a secure distance of 833.8 km, setting a new record for fibre-based QKD. Furthermore, the optimized four-phase twin-field protocol and high-quality set-up make its secure key rate more than two orders of magnitude greater than previous records over similar distances. Our results mark a breakthrough towards building reliable and efficient terrestrial quantum-secure networks over a scale of 1,000 km.Twin-field (TF) quantum key distribution (QKD) over a secure distance of 833.8 km is demonstrated even in the finite-size regime. To this end, an optimized four-phase TF-QKD protocol and a high-speed low-noise TF-QKD system are developed.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) variants has altered the trajectory of the COVID‐19 pandemic and raised some uncertainty on the long‐term efficiency of vaccine strategy. The development of new therapeutics against a wide range of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants is imperative. We, here, have designed an inhalable siRNA, C6G25S, which covers 99.8% of current SARS‐CoV‐2 variants and is capable of inhibiting dominant strains, including Alpha, Delta, Gamma, and Epsilon, at picomolar ranges of IC 50 in vitro . Moreover, C6G25S could completely inhibit the production of infectious virions in lungs by prophylactic treatment, and decrease 96.2% of virions by cotreatment in K18‐hACE2‐transgenic mice, accompanied by a significant prevention of virus‐associated extensive pulmonary alveolar damage, vascular thrombi, and immune cell infiltrations. Our data suggest that C6G25S provides an alternative and effective approach to combating the COVID‐19 pandemic. Synopsis C6G25S is a fully modified siRNA specifically targeting the highly‐conserve region of SARS‐CoV‐2 genome. It has been developed as an inhalable and broad‐spectrum therapeutic that is highly stable and effective via direct respiratory administration. A broadly active siRNA covers 99.8% of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants, including highly infective Delta and Omicron. C6G25S completely inhibited the Delta variant in lungs of infected mice by prophylactic treatment and decreased 93% of virions by co‐treatment. First study that use fully modified siRNA for inhalation and achieved promising therapeutic effect without a special delivery system. C6G25S is a safe, effective, and feasible therapeutic approach that could reach the market in a short time. Graphical Abstract C6G25S is a fully modified siRNA specifically targeting the highly‐conserve region of SARS‐CoV‐2 genome. It has been developed as an inhalable and broad‐spectrum therapeutic that is highly stable and effective via direct respiratory administration.

Quantum confined materials have been extensively studied for photoluminescent applications. Due to intrinsic limitations of low biocompatibility and challenging modulation, the utilization of conventional inorganic quantum confined photoluminescent materials in bio-imaging and bio-machine interface faces critical restrictions. Here, we present aromatic cyclo-dipeptides that dimerize into quantum dots, which serve as building blocks to further self-assemble into quantum confined supramolecular structures with diverse morphologies and photoluminescence properties. Especially, the emission can be tuned from the visible region to the near-infrared region (420 nm to 820 nm) by modulating the self-assembly process. Moreover, no obvious cytotoxic effect is observed for these nanostructures, and their utilization for in vivo imaging and as phosphors for light-emitting diodes is demonstrated. The data reveal that the morphologies and optical properties of the aromatic cyclo-dipeptide self-assemblies can be tuned, making them potential candidates for supramolecular quantum confined materials providing biocompatible alternatives for broad biomedical and opto-electric applications. Quantum confined (QC) materials have favorable photoluminescent properties, yet are less bioavailable. Here, the authors developed aromatic cyclo-dipeptides that assemble into quantum dots and organize into biocompatible QC supramolecular structures suitable for in vivo imaging and optoelectronics.

Planting patterns affect nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) acquisition and distribution in maize and soybean under intercropping conditions. Here we reveal that strip relay-intercropping increases the N, P, and K uptake and distribution across plant organs (root, straw, and seed) of maize and soybean, accelerates the dry-matter production of intercrop-species, and compensates the slight maize yield loss by considerably increasing the soybean yield. In a two-year experiment, soybean was planted with maize in different planting patterns (SI, 50:50 cm and SII, 40:160 cm) of relay-intercropping, both planting patterns were compared with sole cropping of maize (SM) and soybean (SS). As compared to SI, SII increased the N, P, and K accumulation in each organ of soybean by 20, 32, and 18 (root) %, 71, 61, and 76 (straw) %, and 68, 65, and 62 (seed) %, respectively, whereas decreased the N, P, and K accumulation in each organ of maize by 1, 4, and 8 (root) %, 1, 10, and 3 (straw) %, and 5, 10, and 8 (seed) %, respectively. Overall, in SII, relay-cropped soybean accumulated 91% of total nutrient uptake (TNU) of sole soybean plants, and relay-cropped maize accumulated 94% of TNU of sole maize plants.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) represents a significant economic zone with a diverse financial landscape. Understanding the spatial distribution of financial resources within this area is crucial for promoting balanced economic growth and financial development. This study investigates the spatial patterns of financial agglomeration in the GBA, identifying key influencing factors and assessing their impact on the region’s financial landscape. We employ the entropy value method to evaluate financial agglomeration levels across the GBA’s cities. Additionally, we use spatial econometric techniques to analyze the spatial correlations and the Geo-Detector model to determine the primary factors influencing financial agglomeration. The analysis reveals an overall increase in financial agglomeration, with significant disparities among cities. Key factors driving this agglomeration include transportation infrastructure, overseas trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), and technological advancements. Hong Kong and Shenzhen display notable unevenness in the distribution of financial industries. The interplay between finance, technology, and industrial sectors suggests considerable development potential. Understanding and optimizing the spatial distribution of financial resources is essential for fostering high-quality financial development and sustainable economic growth in the GBA. This study provides insights that can inform policy decisions aimed at enhancing financial integration and cooperation within the region.

Background We aimed to investigate the effect of early-life diverse microbial exposures on gut microbial colonization in an OVA-induced asthma model in BALB/c mice. Methods BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups: A, offsprings were kept in a SPF environment during fetal, lactation, and childhood periods; B, offsprings were kept in the SPF environment during fetal and lactation periods, and kept in the general environment during childhood; C, offsprings were kept in the SPF environment only during fetal period, and then kept in the general environment; and D, offsprings were kept in the general environment during whole periods. The diversity of intestinal flora was analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Mice were sensitized with OVA to establish an animal model of asthma. Then asthma-related inflammatory cytokines and histological analysis were performed. Results The diversity of intestinal microflora in group D was significantly higher than groups A, B and C at three days and three weeks after birth, and the diversity of intestinal microflora in groups C and D were significantly higher than groups A and B at five weeks after birth. The pathologic scores of OVA-induced asthmatic mice in group D were significantly lower than group A, and serum IFN-γ levels and the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in group D were significantly higher than group A. Conclusions Exposure to diverse microbial environments in early life affects gut microbial colonization in BALB/c mice. The diversity of the intestinal flora in early life may prevent airway inflammation in asthma via regulating the Th1/Th2 balance.

Electric field mediated gene delivery or electrotransfection is a widely used method in various studies ranging from basic cell biology research to clinical gene therapy. Yet, mechanisms of electrotransfection are still controversial. To this end, we investigated the dependence of electrotransfection efficiency (eTE) on binding of plasmid DNA (pDNA) to plasma membrane and how treatment of cells with three endocytic inhibitors (chlorpromazine, genistein, dynasore) or silencing of dynamin expression with specific, small interfering RNA (siRNA) would affect the eTE. Our data demonstrated that the presence of divalent cations (Ca(2+) and Mg(2+)) in electrotransfection buffer enhanced pDNA adsorption to cell membrane and consequently, this enhanced adsorption led to an increase in eTE, up to a certain threshold concentration for each cation. Trypsin treatment of cells at 10 min post electrotransfection stripped off membrane-bound pDNA and resulted in a significant reduction in eTE, indicating that the time period for complete cellular uptake of pDNA (between 10 and 40 min) far exceeded the lifetime of electric field-induced transient pores (∼10 msec) in the cell membrane. Furthermore, treatment of cells with the siRNA and all three pharmacological inhibitors yielded substantial and statistically significant reductions in the eTE. These findings suggest that electrotransfection depends on two mechanisms: (i) binding of pDNA to cell membrane and (ii) endocytosis of membrane-bound pDNA.