Cytoplasmic DNAs: Sources, sensing, and roles in the development of lung inflammatory diseases and cancer

Cytoplasmic DNA is emerging as a pivotal contributor to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and cancer, such as COVID-19 and lung carcinoma. However, the complexity of various cytoplasmic DNA-related pathways and their crosstalk remains challenging to distinguish their specific roles in many distinct inflammatory diseases, especially for the underlying mechanisms. Here, we reviewed the latest findings on cytoplasmic DNA and its signaling pathways in inflammatory lung conditions and lung cancer progression. We found that sustained activation of cytoplasmic DNA sensing pathways contributes to the development of common lung diseases, which may result from external factors or mutations of key genes in the organism. We further discussed the interplays between cytoplasmic DNA and anti-inflammatory or anti-tumor effects for potential immunotherapy. In sum, this review aids in understanding the roles of cytoplasmic DNAs and exploring more therapeutic strategies

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus (Passeriformes: Dicruridae)

In this study, we first sequenced and described the complete mitochondrial genome and phylogeny of Dicrurus hottentottus. The whole genome of D. hottentottus was 16,963 bp in length, and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes, and 1 non-coding control regions. The overall base composition of the mitochondrial DNA was 32.56% for A, 25.56% for T, 27.72% for C, and 14.15% for G, with a GC content of 41.87%. A phylogenetic tree strongly supported that D. hottentottus (Dicruridae) is closely related to Corvidae and Laniidae with a high probability

Development of oogonia of Sargassum horneri (Fucales, Heterokontophyta) and concomitant variations in PSII photosynthetic activities

Sargassum horneri is one of the most important seaweeds used to restore degraded coastal environments near Nanji Island, China. However, its reproductive characteristics, especially those of oogenesis and the concomitant changes in photosynthetic activities, remained uncertain. Herein we documented the processes of conceptacle and female gamete formation and the photosystem II (PSII) changes that accompanied them. Thalli of S. horneri were dioecious, the oogonial conceptacles maturing acropetally on the axillary receptacles. Conceptacles were originated from the epidermal cells, the cells lining the inner surface of the cavity ultimately differentiating into either sterile unbranched paraphyses or oogonia. The PSII photosynthetic activities of oogonia continuously diminished with increasing maturation. The value of Fv/Fm decreased from 0.55 ± 0.01 for recently initiated oogonia to 0.27 ± 0.05 for mature oogonia. The diameters of the oogonia increased approximately 20 times from initiation to maturity. The possible nutrition sources of oogonia during their development are discussed. © 2014 International Phycological Society

Efficient organic dye sensitized solar cells based on modified sulfide/polysulfide electrolyte

An energy conversion efficiency of up to 5.24% has been attained, under AM 1.5 G illumination for a new dye-sensitized solar cell using TH305, as a low cost org. dye, ((CH3)4N)2S/((CH3)4N)2S2, as an org. electrolyte and CoS as counter electrode

Next-generation sequencing of the mitochondrial genome of Oligodon chinensis (Squamata: Colubridae) with a pylogenetic analysis of Colubridae

The Chinese kukri snake Oligodon chinensis belongs to family Colubridae and is distributed in southern China and North Vietnam. In this study, the total mitochondrial genome of O. chinensis was determined using next-generation sequencing. It is a circular molecule of 17,146 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 2 control regions (CR1 and CR2), with a base composition of A 33.6%, G 12.2%, T 25.6%, and C 28.6%. Interestingly, a special 136 bp non-coding region, which was identified as the repeated sequence in CR1 and CR2. Oligodon chinensis lay a basal position within Colubrinae (Clade A). Ptyas mucosa was the nearest sister to Elaphe carinata and they were clustered in other species of Elaphe. The molecular data presented here would be useful for further study of O. chinensis

Light-Harvesting Fullerene Dyads as Organic Triplet Photosensitizers for Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Upconversions

Visible light-harvesting C₆₀–bodipy dyads were devised as universal organic triplet photosensitizers for triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion. The antennas in the dyad were used to harvest the excitation energy, and then the singlet excited state of C₆₀ will be populated via the intramolecular energy transfer from the antenna to C₆₀ unit. In turn with the intrinsic intersystem crossing (ISC) of the C₆₀, the triplet excited state of the C₆₀ will be produced. Thus, without any heavy atoms, the triplet excited states of organic dyads are populated upon photoexcitation. Different from C₆₀, the dyads show strong absorption of visible light at 515 nm (<b>C-1</b>, ε = 70400 M^–1 cm^–1) or 590 nm (<b>C-2</b>, ε = 82500 M^–1 cm^–1). Efficient intramolecular energy transfer from the bodipy moieties to C₆₀ unit and localization of the triplet excited state on C₆₀ were confirmed by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy as well as DFT calculations. The dyads were used as triplet photosensitizers for TTA upconversion, and an upconversion quantum yield up to 7.0% was observed. We propose that C₆₀–organic chromophore dyads can be used as a general molecular structural motif for organic triplet photosensitizers, which can be used for photocatalysis, photodynamic therapy, and TTA upconversions

Efficient Enhancement of the Visible-Light Absorption of Cyclometalated Ir(III) Complexes Triplet Photosensitizers with Bodipy and Applications in Photooxidation and Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Upconversion

We report molecular designing strategies to enhance the effective visible-light absorption of cyclometalated Ir­(III) complexes. Cationic cyclometalated Ir­(III) complexes were prepared in which boron–dipyrromethene (Bodipy) units were attached to the 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) ligand via −CC– bonds at either the <i>meso</i>-phenyl (<b>Ir-2</b>) or 2 position of the π core of Bodipy (<b>Ir-3</b>). For the first time the effect of π conjugating (<b>Ir-3</b>) or tethering (<b>Ir-2</b>) of a light-harvesting chromophore to the coordination center on the photophysical properties was compared in detail. Ir­(ppy)₂(bpy) (<b>Ir-1</b>; ppy = 2-phenylpyridine) was used as model complex, which gives the typical weak absorption in visible range (ε < 4790 M^–1 cm^–1 in region > 400 nm). <b>Ir-2</b> and <b>Ir-3</b> showed much stronger absorption in the visible range (ε = 71 400 M^–1 cm^–1 at 499 nm and 83 000 M^–1 cm^–1 at 527 nm, respectively). Room-temperature phosphorescence was only observed for <b>Ir-1</b> (λ_em = 590 nm) and <b>Ir-3</b> (λ_em = 742 nm). <b>Ir-3</b> gives RT phosphorescence of the Bodipy unit. On the basis of the 77 K emission spectra, nanosecond transient absorption spectra, and spin density analysis, we proposed that Bodipy-localized long-lived triplet excited states were populated for <b>Ir-2</b> (τ_T = 23.7 μs) and <b>Ir-3</b> (87.2 μs). <b>Ir-1</b> gives a much shorter triplet-state lifetime (0.35 μs). Complexes were used as singlet oxygen (¹O₂) photosensitizers in photooxidation. The ¹O₂ quantum yield of <b>Ir-3</b> (Φ_Δ = 0.97) is ca. 2-fold of <b>Ir-2</b> (Φ_Δ = 0.52). Complexes were also used as triplet photosensitizer for TTA upconversion; upconversion quantum yields of 1.2% and 2.8% were observed for <b>Ir-2</b> and <b>Ir-3</b>, respectively. Our results proved that the strong absorption of visible light of <b>Ir-2</b> failed to enhance production of a triplet excited state. These results are useful for designing transition metal complexes that show <i>effective</i> strong visible-light absorption and long-lived triplet excited states, which can be used as ideal triplet photosensitizers in photocatalysis and TTA upconversion