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Photon loss is the biggest problem for scalable photonic quantum information processing. This issue can be tackled through quantum error correction, provided that the overall photon loss is below a threshold of one-third. However, all reported on-demand and indistinguishable single-photon sources still fall short of this threshold. Here, by using tailor shaped laser pulse excitation on a high-quantum efficiency single quantum dot deterministically coupled to a tunable open microcavity, we simultaneously demonstrate a high-performance source with a low multi-photon error of g (2) (0) = 0.0205(6), photon indistinguishability of 0.9856(13) and overall system efficiency of 0.712(18). This source for the first time reaches the efficiency threshold for scalable photonic quantum computing. With this source, we further demonstrate 1.89(14) dB intensity squeezing, and consecutive 40-photon events with a count rate of 1.67 mHz. By resonant excitation of an InAs quantum dot embedded in a microcavity, a deterministic single-photon source is demonstrated. Single-photon purity of 0.9795(6), photon indistinguishability of 0.9856(13), and an overall end-to-end efficiency of 0.712(18) are simultaneously obtained.

Background Discoidin domain receptor-1 (DDR1) tyrosine kinase is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers and involved in various steps of tumorigenesis. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the abnormal expression of DDR1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been well investigated. Methods The expression of DDR1 on OSCC patients was determine by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Specific targeting by miRNAs was determined by software prediction, luciferase reporter assay, and correlation with target protein expression. The functions of miR-486-3p and DDR1 were accessed by MTT and Annexin V analyses using gain- and loss-of-function approaches. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and methylation specific PCR (MSP) were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms by arecoline treatment. Results Here, we reported that DDR1 was significantly upregulated in OSCC tissues and its levels were inversely correlated with miR-486-3p expression. The experimental results in vitro confirmed that miR-486-3p decreased DDR1 expression by targeting the 3′-UTR of DDR1 mRNA. Overexpression of miR-486-3p led to growth inhibition and apoptosis induction with a similar function by knockdown of DDR1. Aberrant methylation of ANK1 promoter was a highly prevalent in OSCC and contributes to oral carcinogenesis by epigenetic silencing of ANK1 and miR-486-3p. We found that miR-486-3p can be transcriptionally co-regulated with its host gene ANK1 through epigenetic repression. DNA methylation inhibitor treatment re-expressed ANK1 and miR-486-3p. Importantly, arecoline, a major betel nut alkaloid, recruited DNMT3B binding to ANK1 promoter for DNA methylation and then attenuated the expression of miR-486-3p in OSCC. Conclusion This study was the first to demonstrate that betel nut alkaloid may recruit DNMT3B to regulate miR-486-3p/DDR1 axis in oral cancer andmiR-486-3p and DDR1 may serve as potential therapeutic targets of oral cancer.

Background Stellate ganglion block (SGB) has been shown to reduce perioperative complications in various surgeries. Because laparoscopic techniques and instruments have advanced during the past two decades, laparoscopic liver resection is being increasingly adopted worldwide. Lesser blood loss, fewer postoperative complications, and shorter postoperative hospital stays are the advantages of laparoscopic liver resection, as compared to conventional open surgery. There is an urgent need for an effective intervention to reduce perioperative complications and accelerate postoperative recovery. This study investigated the effect of ultrasound-guided SGB on enhanced recovery after laparoscopic partial hepatectomy. Methods We compared patients who received SGB with 0.5% ropivacaine (group S) with those who received SGB with 0.9% saline (group N). A total of 58 patients with partial hepatectomy were enrolled (30 S) and (28 N). Before induction of anesthesia, SGB was performed with 0.5% ropivacaine in group S and 0.9% saline in group N. Main outcome: Comparison of serum inflammatory cytokines concentration at each time point. Results Main outcome: When comparing IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations among groups, group S showed less variation over time compared to group N. For comparison between groups, the serum IL-6 concentration in group S was lower than that in group N at 6 and 24 h after operation ( P  < 0.01), and there was a significant linear relationship between serum IL-6 concentration at 24 h after operation and hospitalization situation. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided SGB can stabilize perioperative inflammatory cytokines plays a positive role in the enhanced recovery of patients after laparoscopic partial hepatectomy. The serum IL-6 level within 24 h after surgery may be used as a predictor of hospitalization. Trial registration The study was registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov (Registration date: 13/09/2021; Trial ID: NCT05042583).

In the quest to realize a scalable quantum network, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) offer distinct advantages, including high single-photon efficiency and indistinguishability, high repetition rate (tens of gigahertz with Purcell enhancement), interconnectivity with spin qubits, and a scalable on-chip platform. However, in the past two decades, the visibility of quantum interference between independent QDs rarely went beyond the classical limit of 50%, and the distances were limited from a few meters to kilometers. Here, we report quantum interference between two single photons from independent QDs separated by a 302 km optical fiber. The single photons are generated from resonantly driven single QDs deterministically coupled to microcavities. Quantum frequency conversions are used to eliminate the QD inhomogeneity and shift the emission wavelength to the telecommunication band. The observed interference visibility is 0.67  ±  0.02 (0.93  ±  0.04) without (with) temporal filtering. Feasible improvements can further extend the distance to ∼600  km. Our work represents a key step to long-distance solid-state quantum networks.

ObjectiveRetinoblastoma (RB) is a prevalent type of eye cancer in youngsters. Prospero homeobox 1 (Prox1) is a homeobox transcriptional repressor and downstream target of the proneural gene that is relevant in lymphatic, hepatocyte, pancreatic, heart, lens, retinal, and cancer cells. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of Prox1 in RB cell proliferation and drug resistance, as well as to explore the underlying Notch1 mechanism.MethodsHuman RB cell lines (SO-RB50 and Y79) and a primary human retinal microvascular endothelial cell line (ACBRI-181) were used in this study. The expression of Prox1 and Notch1 mRNA and protein in RB cells was detected using quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Cell proliferation was assessed after Prox1 overexpression using the Cell Counting Kit-8 and the MTS assay. Drug-resistant cell lines (SO-RB50/vincristine) were generated and treated with Prox1 to investigate the role of Prox1 in drug resistance. We employed pcDNA-Notch1 to overexpress Notch1 to confirm the role of Notch1 in the protective function of Prox1. Finally, a xenograft model was constructed to assess the effect of Prox1 on RB in vivo.ResultsProx1 was significantly downregulated in RB cells. Overexpression of Prox1 effectively decreased RB cell growth while increasing the sensitivity of drug-resistant cells to vincristine. Notch1 was involved in Prox1’s regulatory effects. Notch1 was identified as a target gene of Prox1, which was found to be upregulated in RB cells and repressed by increased Prox1 expression. When pcDNA-Notch1 was transfected, the effect of Prox1 overexpression on RB was removed. Furthermore, by downregulating Notch1, Prox1 overexpression slowed tumor development and increased vincristine sensitivity in vivo.ConclusionThese data show that Prox1 decreased RB cell proliferation and drug resistance by targeting Notch1, implying that Prox1 could be a potential therapeutic target for RB.

Osteoblasts are sensitive to altered gravity conditions, displaying changes in RNA and protein expression, proliferation, and differentiation; however, the effect of hypergravity on the mechanical properties of osteoblasts remains unclear. In this study, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to evaluate the effect of hypergravity on the elasticity of osteoblasts. We demonstrate that a continuous hypergravitational environment increased the elasticity of the cytoplasm, but not the nuclei zone, of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Actin filaments, but not microtubules, dominated in the increased elasticity. These findings provide new insights on cellular gravity-sensing mechanisms.

Myanmar is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, and its complex geography together with heterogeneous climate and precipitation patterns present major challenges for producing reliable climate change projections. In light of these challenges, high-resolution regional climate models are essential for improving our understanding of climate change and to provide a knowledge base for adaptation strategies. We employed the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to simulate the present climate (1981–2010), a mid of century (2031–2060) and an end of century (2071–2100) climate for the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. We tested out different domain settings and show that large domains are needed to accurately model the climate and, particularly, precipitation in Myanmar. The past climate is validated against station data and satellite based products, and the model demonstrates good skill in representing the climate over Myanmar, with the exception of a dry bias in the southern Ayeyarwady Delta. Generally, the model underestimates precipitation at the end of the rainy season in October, which is related to a mismatch in the atmospheric circulation, moisture availability, and therefore, moisture transport into Myanmar. The climate projections show distinct increases in 2m-temperature, with warming of 0.9 to 2.7 ° C for the mid-century in an SSP2-4.5 to end of the century under the SSP5-8.5. Our simulations project that in April the temperature in the Dry Zone in the centre of the country increases disproportionally with a warming of up to 3.6 ° C for the SSP5-8.5 end of century simulation, while for all other scenarios the strongest increase is found in May. Changes in precipitation show a non-significant wetting in the Dry Zone and a significant drying in the Shan Hills and the Tanintharyi Region for the two periods in the SSP2-4.5 and the mid-century simulation under SSP5-8.5 scenario. For the end of century simulation under the SSP5-8.5 pathway a general wetting of the north western part including the Dry Zone in the range of 40 to 60% is projected. Even if the annual sum shows an increase in precipitation, this is not true for all the months. Especially, January, July, August and November are months which are projected to have less precipitation in all future scenarios compared to present climate.

Probing the mechanical properties of cells is critical for understanding their deformation behaviors and biological functions. Although some methods have been proposed to characterize the elastic properties of cells, it is still difficult to measure their time-dependent properties. This paper investigates the use of atomic force microscope (AFM) to determine the reduced relaxation modulus of cells. In principle, AFM is hard to perform an indentation relaxation test that requires a constant indenter displacement during load relaxation, whereas the real AFM indenter displacement usually varies with time during relaxation due to the relatively small bending stiffness of its cantilever. We investigate this issue through a combined theoretical, computational, and experimental effort. A protocol relying on the choice of appropriate cantilever bending stiffness is proposed to perform an AFM-based indentation relaxation test of cells, which enables the measurement of reduced relaxation modulus with high accuracy. This protocol is first validated by performing nanoindentation relaxation tests on a soft material and by comparing the results with those from independent measurements. Then indentation tests of cartilage cells are conducted to demonstrate this method in determining time-dependent properties of living cells. Finally, the change in the viscoelasticity of MCF-7 cells under hyperthermia is investigated.

To fully exploit the potential of quantum technologies, quantum networks are needed to link different systems, significantly enhancing applications in computing, cryptography, and metrology. Central to these networks are quantum relays that can facilitate long-distance entanglement distribution and quantum communication. In this work, we present a modular and scalable quantum relay architecture using a high-quality single-photon source. The proposed network incorporates three untrusted intermediate nodes and is capable of a repetition rate of 304.52 MHz. We use a measurement-device-independent protocol to demonstrate secure key establishment over fibers covering up to 300 kilometers. This study highlights the potential of single-photon sources in quantum relays to enhance information transmission, expand network coverage, and improve deployment flexibility, with promising applications in future quantum networks.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive cancer with very poor outcomes. To identify additional drivers of leukemogenesis, we analyzed sequencing data from 1,727 unique individual patients with AML, which revealed mutations in ubiquitin ligase family genes in 11.2% of samples from adult patients with AML with mutual exclusivity. The SKP1/CUL1/F-box (SCF) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex gene, FBXO11, was the most significantly downregulated gene of the SCF complex in AML. We found that FBXO11 interacts with and catalyzes K63-linked ubiquitination of LONP1 in the cytosol, to promote LONP1 entry into mitochondria. We show that depletion of FBXO11 or LONP1 reduced mitochondrial respiration through impaired LONP1 chaperone activity to assemble electron transport chain Complex IV. Reduced mitochondrial respiration secondary to FBXO11 or LONP1 depletion imparted myeloid-biased stem cell properties in primary CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in vitro. In a human xenograft model, depletion of FBXO11 cooperated with AML1-ETO and mutant KRASG12D to generate serially transplantable AML. Our findings suggest that reduced FBXO11 cooperates to initiate AML by priming HSPC for myeloid-biased self renewal through attenuation of LONP1-mediated regulation of mitochondrial respiration.