Generation and characteristics of hollow structured optical fields based on multiple off-axis vortices.

In this paper, various hollow structured optical fields are generated by skillfully adjusting the number and positions of multiple off-axis vortices loaded in a Gaussian beam. The focal-field characteristics of the generated hollow structured optical fields after passing through an ordinary lens are studied based on the scalar diffraction theory. Firstly, a variety of hollow structured optical fields are theoretically simulated by adjusting the number and positions of multiple off-axis vortices loaded in the Gaussian beam. The focal-field characteristics of the hollow structured optical fields after passing through a lens are theoretically analyzed. On this basis, the experiments are implemented in the built optical system for multi-off-axis vortex beam focusing through an ordinary lens. In the experiments, various hollow structured optical fields are detected in CCD which are consistent with the theoretical results. The manipulations of size and rotation direction of the hollow structured optical fields are realized. We believe that this study will contribute to extending the potential applications of off-axis vortex beams in fields such as optical field shaping, optical manipulation and laser processing.

CXCL8 induces M2 macrophage polarization and inhibits CD8+ T cell infiltration to generate an immunosuppressive microenvironment in colorectal cancer.

The poor prognosis of immunotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the immunosuppressive mechanisms within tumor microenvironment (TME). Undoubtedly, the anti-tumor immune cells play an indispensable role in immune tolerance. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate novel immune-related factors that have the capacity to enhance anti-tumor immunity. Here, we employed bioinformatic analysis using R and Cytoscape to identify the hub gene chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 8 (CXCL8), which is overexpressed in CRC, in the malignant progression of CRC. However, its specific role of CXCL8 in CRC immunity remains to be elucidated. For this purpose, we evaluated how tumor-derived CXCL8 promotes M2 macrophage infiltration by in vivo and in vitro, which can be triggered by IL-1ß within TME. Mechanistically, CXCL8-induced polarization of M2 macrophages depends on the activation of the STAT3 signaling. Finally, immunohistochemistry and multiplexed immunohistochemistry analysis identified that CXCL8 not only enhances PD-L1+ M2 macrophage infiltration but also attenuates the recruitment of PD-1+ CD8+ T cells in murine CRC models. Together, these findings emphasize the critical role for CXCL8 in promoting M2 macrophage polarization and inhibiting CD8+ T cell infiltration, thereby links CXCL8 to the emergency of immunosuppressive microenvironment facilitating tumor evasion. Overall, these findings may provide novel strategy for CRC immunotherapy.

Cascade Reaction to Selectively Synthesize Multifunctional Indole Derivatives by IrIII -Catalyzed C-H Activation.

An effective and condition-controlled way to synthesize with high selectivity a variety of functionalized indoles with potent biological properties has been developed. Notably, 2,4-dialkynyl indole products were obtained by direct double C-H bond alkynylation, whereas alkynyl at the C4 position could convert to carbonyl to generate 2-alkynyl-3,4-diacetyl indoles fast and effectively. Additionally, a one-pot relay catalytic reaction led to 2,5-di-alkynyl-3,4-diacetyl indoles when using a carbonyl group as the directing group and by controlling the type and quantity of additives. A possible mechanism was proposed based on many studies including deuterium-exchange experiments, the necessary conditions of product conversion, and the effect of water on the reaction.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed PIII-Directed Remote ε-C-H Alkylation of Phosphines.

The ruthenium-catalyzed remote ε-C-H alkylation of phosphines with tertiary alkyl halides has been developed. This novel PIII-directed C-H activation strategy tolerated various functional groups and delivered a wide variety of modified phosphines with excellent meta-site selectivity. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that a PIII-assisted ortho-cyclometalation/remote σ-activation pathway might be involved in this methodology.

Iridium(III)-Catalyzed C-H Amidation/Cyclization of NH-Sulfoximines with N-Alkoxyamides: Formation of Thiadiazine 1-Oxides.

The first example of Ir(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/cyclization with N-alkoxyamides as amidation reagents to simultaneously form functionalized thiadiazine 1-oxide derivatives was developed. This one-pot cascade protocol tolerated diverse functional groups and readily constructed various heterocyclic frameworks in moderate to good yield.

De novo transcriptome assembly and analysis of differential gene expression following peptidoglycan (PGN) challenge in Antheraea pernyi.

Antheraea pernyi is not only an important economic insect, it is increasingly employed as a model organism due to a variety of advantages, including ease of rearing and experimental manipulation compared with other Lepidoptera. Peptidoglycan (PGN) is a major component of the bacterial cell wall, and interactions between PGN and A. pernyi cause a series of physiological changes in the insect. In the present study, we constructed cDNA libraries from a A. pernyi PGN-infected group and a control group stimulated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The transcriptome was de novo assembled using the Trinity platform, and 1698 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, comprising 894 up-regulated and 804 down-regulated genes. To further investigate immune-related DEGs, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were performed. GO analysis identified major immune-related GO terms and KEGG enrichment indicated gene responses to three pathways related to the insect immune system. Several homologous genes related to the immune response of the A. pernyi fat body post-PGN infection were identified and categorised. Taken together, the results provide insight into the complex molecular mechanisms of the responses to bacterial infection at the transcriptional level.

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of Spilarctia subcarnea and other noctuid insects.

This study was performed to better understand the phylogenetic relationships within the lepidopteran superfamily Noctuoidea. The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has been extensively used for studying phylogenetic relationships at different taxonomic levels. In this study, the complete mitogenome of Spilarctia subcarnea (Noctuoidea: Erebidae) was sequenced and annotated. The mitogenome is 15,441bp in length, containing 13 typical protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and a noncoding control region (CR). The order and orientation of genes of S. subcarnea mitogenome with the order trnM-trnI-trnQ-nad2 is different from the ancestral insects in which trnM is located between trnQ and nad2 (trnI-trnQ-trnM-nad2). The phylogenetic relationships based on mitochondrial sequences using Bayesian inference and Maximum likelihood methods showed that S. subcarnea was closely related to Lemyra melli, supporting that S. subcarnea belongs to Erebidae. These analyses confirm that Lymantriidae should be included as subfamilies within Erebidae. The Erebidae was sister to (Nolidae+(Euteliidae+Noctuidae)); Notodontidae is sister to the other families of Noctuoidea in our study.

De novo transcriptome assembly and analysis of differential gene expression following lipopolysaccharide challenge in Pelteobagrus fulvidraco.

The yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, has been recognized as an important freshwater aquaculture species in Eastern and Southeast Asia. To gain a better understanding of the immune response in P. fulvidraco, we analyzed its transcriptome following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was used as control. Following assembly and annotation, 72,152 unigenes with an average length of 1090 bp were identified. A total of 370 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the P. fulvidraco were observed at 12 h post LPS treatment, including 197 up-regulated genes and 173 down-regulated genes. Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins (KOG/COG) annotation demonstrated that a total of 18,819 unigenes classified into 26 categories. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed 20 biological process subcategories, 7 cellular component subcategories and 20 molecular function subcategories. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis identified immune responses pathways. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction measured the expression of 18 genes involved in the immune response. CXCL2-like chemokine (CXCL2), goose-type lysozyme (LYZ G), and cathepsin K (CTSK) were significantly up-regulated. This study enriches the P. fulvidraco transcriptome database and provides insight into the immune response of P. fulvidraco against infection.

Characterisation of the complete mitochondrial genome of Helice wuana (Grapsoidea: Varunidae) and comparison with other Brachyuran crabs.

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) provides important information for phylogenetic analysis and understanding evolutionary origins. Herein, we sequenced, annotated, and characterised the mitogenome of the crab Helice wuana to better understand its molecular evolution and phylogeny. The 16,359bp mitogenome includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and one control region. The genome composition is highly A+T biased 68.42%, and exhibits a negative AT-skew (-0.036) and GC-skew (-0.269) among Brachyura crabs. Gene rearrangements were detected, as was tandem duplication followed by random loss, which explains the translocation of mitochondrial genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that H. wuana and H. tientsinensis clustered on one branch with high nodal support values. These results confirm that the placement of H. wuana within the Varunidae family of Thoracotrematan crabs. This study will provided a better understanding for gene rearrangements and crab evolution in the further.

Transcriptome-Wide Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Chinese Oak Silkworm Antheraea pernyi in Response to Lead Challenge.

Antheraea pernyi is a commercially cultivated silk moth and a source of insect food with high-quality protein. Insects suffer oxidative stress on exposure to heavy metals, and reactive oxygen species are cleared by antioxidant enzymes. To gain better understanding of the antioxidant defense system of A. pernyi, we analyzed transcriptomes of pupae after stimulation with lead and phosphate-buffered saline (control). In total, 72 367 unigenes were identified. Gene ontology analysis revealed that these DEGs were in 20 biological process subcategories, 19 cellular component subcategories, and 18 molecular function subcategories. Clusters of orthologous groups of protein annotation placed a total of 528 DEGs into 25 categories. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis identified antioxidant defense pathways, including "Peroxisome" and "Glutathione metabolism", which are reported for the first time in A. pernyi. Our study enriches A. pernyi transcriptome databases and provides insight into the heavy metal responses of antioxidant systems of this insect fat bodies.

Transcriptome analysis of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) liver challenged with polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C).

Yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) is one of the most important economic freshwater species in China. However, infection by bacterial pathogenic diseases has caused high mortality and great economic loss in aquaculture. It is necessary for disease control to know more about the P. fulvidraco immune system and its related genes in response to bacterial or viral infections. In this study, the transcriptomic profiles of liver from P. fulvidraco stimulated by polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C) was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing method. After assembly and annotation, total 67,447 unigenes were acquired, with an average length of 1091 bp. Under the infection of poly I:C, 522 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 307 up-regulated genes and 215 down-regulated genes. To further investigate the immune-related DEGs, Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were performed. The result of GO enrichment indicated gene response to external stimulus, regulation of response to stimulus, cellular response to stimulus, immune response and immune system progress. Significant KEGG enrichment analysis identified major immune related pathways. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that 13 immune response genes were identified to be up-regulated after 12 h of poly I:C stimulation compared to controls. Taken together, the results of our study are beneficial for better understanding of the immune system and defense mechanisms of yellow catfish in response to poly I:C infection.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Sesarmops sinensis reveals gene rearrangements and phylogenetic relationships in Brachyura.

Mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) is very important to understand molecular evolution and phylogenetics. Herein, in this study, the complete mitogenome of Sesarmops sinensis was reported. The mitogenome was 15,905 bp in size, and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a control region (CR). The AT skew and the GC skew are both negative in the mitogenomes of S. sinensis. The nucleotide composition of the S. sinensis mitogenome was also biased toward A + T nucleotides (75.7%). All tRNA genes displayed a typical mitochondrial tRNA cloverleaf structure, except for the trnS1 gene, which lacked a dihydroxyuridine arm. S. sinensis exhibits a novel rearrangement compared with the Pancrustacean ground pattern and other Brachyura species. Based on the 13 PCGs, the phylogenetic analysis showed that S. sinensis and Sesarma neglectum were clustered on one branch with high nodal support values, indicating that S. sinensis and S. neglectum have a sister group relationship. The group (S. sinensis + S. neglectum) was sister to (Parasesarmops tripectinis + Metopaulias depressus), suggesting that S. sinensis belongs to Grapsoidea, Sesarmidae. Phylogenetic trees based on amino acid sequences and nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial 13 PCGs using BI and ML respectively indicate that section Eubrachyura consists of four groups clearly. The resulting phylogeny supports the establishment of a separate subsection Potamoida. These four groups correspond to four subsections of Raninoida, Heterotremata, Potamoida, and Thoracotremata.

Mitochondrial genome of Helice tientsinensis (Brachyura: Grapsoidea: Varunidae): Gene rearrangements and higher-level phylogeny of the Brachyura.

The mitochondrial genome (mt genome) provides important information for understanding molecular evolution and phylogeny. The further understand the molecular evolution and phylogeny of Helice tientsinensis, the complete mt genome was determined. It is 16,212bp long and includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and a control region. The genome composition of H. tientsinensis was highly A+T biased 69.0% and showed negative AT skew (-0.017) and GC skew (-0.289). One PCG, all rRNAs and 12 of the tRNAs appeared to be rearranged with respect to the pancrustacean ground pattern gene order. Tandem duplication, followed by random deletion, is widely considered to explain translocation of mitochondrial genes. Consecutive recombinations events could explain inversions of genes. The phylogenetic analyses showed that H. tientsinensis has close relationships with Eriocheir japonica sinensis, E. j. hepuensis and E. j. japonica; this indicated that H. tientsinensis belongs in the Grapsoidea, part of the Varunidae family. This study provides evidence for a better understanding of gene rearrangements, as well as the evolutionary status of H. tientsinensis and related species.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Clistocoeloma sinensis (Brachyura: Grapsoidea): Gene rearrangements and higher-level phylogeny of the Brachyura.

Deciphering the animal mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) is very important to understand their molecular evolution and phylogenetic relationships. In this study, the complete mitogenome of Clistocoeloma sinensis was determined. The mitogenome of C. sinensis was 15,706 bp long, and its A+T content was 75.7%. The A+T skew of the mitogenome of C. sinensis was slightly negative (-0.020). All the transfer RNA genes had the typical cloverleaf structure, except for the trnS1 gene, which lacked a dihydroxyuridine arm. The two ribosomal RNA genes had 80.2% A+T content. The A+T-rich region spanned 684 bp. The gene order within the complete mitogenome of C. sinensis was identical to the pancrustacean ground pattern except for the translocation of trnH. Additionally, the gene order of trnI-trnQ-trnM in the pancrustacean ground pattern becomes trnQ-trnI-trnM in C. sinensis. Our phylogenetic analysis showed that C. sinensis and Sesarmops sinensis cluster together with high nodal support values, indicating that C. sinensis and S. sinensis have a sister group relationship. The results support that C. sinensis belongs to Grapsoidea, Sesarmidae. Our findings also indicate that Varunidae and Sesarmidae species share close relationships. Thus, mitogenomes are likely to be valuable tools for systematics in other groups of Crustacea.

A transfer RNA gene rearrangement in the lepidopteran mitochondrial genome.

Gene arrangements in the mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of insects are conserved across the major lineages, but can be rearranged within derived groups and may provide valuable phylogenetic characters. In this study, we sequenced the entire mitogenome of Parasa consocia, a moth of the family Limacodidae (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea). Compared with other lepidopterans and ancestral insects, the P. consocia mitogenome features a transfer RNA gene arrangement novel among lepidopterans between the ND3 and ND5 genes: RANSEF (the underline signifies an inverted gene), which differs from the ARNSEF arrangement of ancestral insects. This rearrangement can be explained by the tandem duplication-random loss model. We inferred a phylogenetic hypothesis for the lepidopteran superfamily based on mitochondrial amino-acid sequences using the Bayesian-inference and maximum-likelihood methods. Our results showed that P. consocia belongs to the Zygaenoidea superfamily and supported the following phylogenetic relationship: Yponomeutoidea + (Tortricoidea + Zygaenoidea + (Papilionoidea + (Pyraloidea + (Noctuoidea + (Geometroidea + Bombycoidea)))))). Comparative analyses indicated that mitogenomes are a useful phylogenetic tool at the subfamily level within the order Lepidoptera. Our findings also suggest that mitogenomes are likely to represent a valuable tool for systematics in other groups of lepidopterans.

A ferritin gene from Procambarus clarkii, molecular characterization and in response to heavy metal stress and lipopolysaccharide challenge.

Ferritin plays important roles in iron storage, detoxification, and immune response. Here, a ferritin gene (PcFer) was identified in Procambarus clarkii, an economically important freshwater crayfish. Full-length PcFer cDNA was 1022-bp, including a 135-bp 5'-untranslated region (UTR) with a typical iron responsive element, a 374-bp 3'-UTR, and a 513-bp open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 170 amino acids which contained the Ferritin domain. PcFer has ion binding sites, a ferrihydrite nucleation center, and an iron ion channel. PcFer is phylogenetically closely-related to Pacifastacus leniusculus and Eriocheir sinensis ferritins. Real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR analysis showed that PcFer was expressed in all tested P. clarkii tissues, and expressed most in hepatopancreas. After challenge with various heavy metals and lipopolysaccharide, respectively, the hepatopancreatic expression levels of PcFer were markedly upregulated. These results suggest that expression of PcFer might be involved in immune defense and protection of P. clarkii against heavy metal stress.

cDNA cloning and expression analysis of a hepcidin gene from yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Siluriformes: Bagridae).

Hepcidin is a small, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide with a highly conserved ß-sheet structure that plays a vital role in innate host immunity against pathogenic organisms. In this study, a hepcidin gene was identified in Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, an economically important freshwater fish in China. The gene is named PfHep. The complete PfHep cDNA was 723 bp, including a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 102 bp, a 3'-UTR of 339 bp and an open reading frame of 282 bp encoding a polypeptide of 93 amino acids, which includes a predicted signal peptide and the Hepcidin domain. The predicted mature, cationic PfHep protein has a typical hepcidin RX (K/R)R motif and eight conserved cysteine residues. The deduced PfHep protein sequence has 70%, 54% and 39% percent identity with hepcidins from Ictalurus punctatus, Danio rerio, and Homo sapiens, respectively. The predicted tertiary structure of PfHep is very similar to that of hepcidin in other animals. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PfHep is closely related to the hepcidins of I. punctatus and I. furcatus. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR showed that the PfHep gene was expressed most in liver of healthy P. fulvidraco, and expressed to some extent in all the tissues tested. After challenge with lipopolysaccharide and polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C), respectively, the expression levels of PfHep were markedly upregulated in liver, spleen, head kidney and blood at different time points. Together these results imply that PfHep may be an important component of the innate immune system and be involved in immune defense against invading pathogens.

The first complete mitochondrial genome for the subfamily Limacodidae and implications for the higher phylogeny of Lepidoptera.

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) provides important information for understanding molecular evolution and phylogeny. To determine the systematic status of the family Limacodidae within Lepidoptera, we infer a phylogenetic hypothesis based on the complete mitogenome of Monema flavescens (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae). The mitogenome of M. flavescens is 15,396 base pairs (bp), and includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a control region (CR). The AT skew of this mitogenome is slightly negative and the nucleotide composition is also biased towards A + T nucleotides (80.5%). All PCGs are initiated by ATN codons, except for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene, which is initiated by CGA. All tRNAs display the typical clover-leaf structure characteristic of mitochondrial tRNAs, with the exception of trnS1 (AGN). The mitogenome CR is 401 bp and consists of several features common to Lepidoptera. Phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) based on nucleotide and amino acid sequences of 13 mitochondrial PCGs indicates that M. flavescens belongs to Zygaenoidea. We obtain a well-supported phylogenetic tree consisting of Yponomeutoidea + (Tortricoidea + Zygaenoidea + (Papilionoidea + (Pyraloidea + (Noctuoidea + (Geometroidea + Bombycoidea))))).

Molecular identification and expression analysis of a goose-type lysozyme (LysG) gene in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco.

Lysozymes, innate immunity molecules, play a vital role in immune response to pathogens. The yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Siluriformes: Bagridae) is an economically important fish in China. The aim of this study was to quantify expression of the P. fulvidraco LysG gene (a g-type lysozyme) in response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) challenge. First, the P. fulvidraco LysG gene (PfLysG) was cloned and characterized. The full-length cDNA of PfLysG is 1323 bp, including a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 131 bp, a 3'-UTR of 634 bp, and an open reading frame of 558 bp encoding a polypeptide of 185 amino acids, which contains a transglycosylase SLT domain (Pfam01464). The predicted molecular weight of the protein is 20.52 kDa with a pI of 9.08. Two catalytic residues and seven N-acetyl-D-glucosamine binding sites are conserved in the sequence and there is no predicted signal peptide. The deduced PfLysG protein sequence has 84%, 76% and 69% percent identity with the LysGs from Ictalurus furcatus, Danio rerio, and Salmo salar, respectively. The predicted tertiary structure of PfLysG is very similar to that from other animals. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PfLysG is closely related to those from Teleostei. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that PfLysG was expressed in all examined tissues and most highly expressed in head kidney, spleen, and intestine. After simulated pathogen challenge with lipopolysaccharide and polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid, respectively, the mRNA expression of PfLysG was upregulated significantly at different time points. The results suggest that the identified g-type lysozyme of P. fulvidraco is involved in innate immune responses.

Identification of differentially expressed genes in the spleens of polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C)-stimulated yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco.

The yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Siluriformes: Bagridae) is an economically important fish in China. However, genomic research and resources on this species are largely unavailable and still in infancy. In the present study, we constructed a cDNA library following poly I:C injection to screen for immune response genes in the spleens of P. fulvidraco using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). A total of 420 putative expressed sequence tag (EST) clones were identified at 24 h post-injection, which contain 103 genes consisting of 25 immune response genes, 12 cytoskeleton genes, 7 cell cycle and apoptosis genes, 7 respiration and energy metabolism genes, 7 transport genes, 26 metabolism genes, 10 stress response genes, 9 translational regulation genes, and 71 unknown genes. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) results revealed that a set of randomly selected immune response genes were identified to be up-regulated after 24 h of poly I:C stimulation compared to controls. Our study provides an annotation of immune genes in detail and insight into fish immunity.