Accumulating evidence suggests that tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) serve as promising therapeutic targets. CXCL8 (IL-8) may also be a potential therapeutic target in cancer. CXCL8 is a potent chemotactic factor for neutrophils, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and monocytes, which are considered immunosuppressive components in cancer-bearing hosts. Here, we identified the TME-related gene CXCL8 in a high-ImmuneScore population that contributed to better survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. An integrated gene profile and functional analysis of TIC proportions revealed that the dendritic cell (DC) activation markers CD80, CD83, and CD86 were positively correlated with CXCL8 expression, suggesting that CXCL8 may be functional as antitumor immune response status in the TME. The gene signature was further validated in independent GSE14333 and GSE38832 cohorts from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). To test the differential contributions of immune and tumor components to progression, three CRC cell lines, CT26, MC38 and HCT116, were used. In vitro results suggested no significant growth or survival changes following treatment with an inhibitor of the CXCL8 receptor (CXCR1/2) such as reparixin or danirixin. In vivo treatment with danirixin (antagonists of CXCR2) promoted tumor progression in animal models established with CT26 cells. CXCR2 antagonism may function via an immune component, with CXCR2 antagonist treatment in mice resulting in reduced activated DCs and correlating with decreased Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) or Granzyme B expressed CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, CXCL8 induced DC migration in transwell migration assays. Taken together, our data suggested that targeting the CXCL8-CXCR2 axis might impede DC activation or recruitment, and this axis could be considered a favorable factor rather than a target for critical antitumor effects on CRC.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises distinct cell types, including stromal types such as fibroblast cells and macrophage cells, which have recently become a critical factor in tumor development and progression. Here, we identified the TME-related gene, plexin domain containing 2 (PLXDC2), in a high-stromal-score population. And we revealed that this gene was related to poor survival and advanced (tumor-node-metastasis) stage in gastric cancer (GC) patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. An integrated gene profile and functional analysis of the proportions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells revealed that the expression of the M2 macrophages cell marker CD163 was positively correlated with PLXDC2 expression. In addition, the M2 macrophages gene signature and high PLXDC2 expression were associated with the inflammatory signaling pathway and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene signature. Single-cell study of GC identified PLXDC2 was enriched specifically in fibroblasts and monocytes/macrophages populations, which supported its important role in the stroma. Furthermore, according to a tissue microarray immunohistochemistry analysis, the expression of PLXDC2 elevated in human GC stromal specimens compared to tumor tissue specimens. Moreover, PLXDC2 overexpression in the stromal compartment was associated with CD163-positive regulatory M2 macrophages, and its functions were related to the pathogenesis of GC. Multiplexed immunohistochemistry verified PLXDC2’s correlation with EMT markers. Our data suggested that PLXDC2 was expressed in stromal cells and that its crosstalk with tumor-associated macrophages could contribute to cancer biology by inducing the EMT process.

In this paper, a high-power Ho:YAG laser in-band pumped by a Tm-doped fiber laser at 1931 nm is reported. A maximum output power of 142.2 W is achieved at 2091 nm using a single-end-pumped configuration, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 56.7%. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the highest output power directly generated by bulk Ho-oscillators in the 2.1 µm spectral region.

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Fe:ZnSe lasers operating in the mid-IR spectral region have gained widespread attention due to their numerous potential applications. This study presents a high-efficiency, continuous-wave Fe:ZnSe laser end pumped by an Er:YAP laser at 2920 nm. The Er:YAP laser was home-constructed and generated an output power of 3.6 W and an average slope efficiency of 36.6% with a good beam quality (M2 ≤ 2). The Fe:ZnSe laser produced a maximum output power of 1 W at 4.06 µm for 2.1 W of absorbed pump power, corresponding to an average slope efficiency of 48%. Theoretical modeling of the continuous-wave Fe:ZnSe laser is presented to determine the prospects for further power scaling.

A high power Ho:YAP laser in-band pumped by a home-constructed Tm doped all fiber master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) is reported. The optically polished and uncoated Ho:YAP laser yielded over 107 W of output power at ∼2117.1 nm with 215.4 W of absorbed pump power, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 50.6% with respect to the absorbed pump power. The beam quality M 2 parameter was measured at 80 W of output power to be ∼3.2 and ∼2.6 in x-and y-directions, respectively.

Optical diffusion is an essential process used to manage photons in a wide range of photoelectric systems. This work proposes an approach to fabricate novel optical diffusers by a plasma-processing technique, using fiberform nanostructures formed by helium plasma irradiation and subsequent annealing. After an annealing procedure in the air for oxidation, the optical properties and the light-diffusing abilities of these nanostructured thin films were studied. In addition to the morphology analysis and total transmittance measurement, the diffusion efficiency of the optical diffusers was analyzed using a transmitted scatter distribution function (TDF). It was revealed that the diffusion efficiency of a device with an irradiation time of 30 minutes could reach 97%. The results demonstrate the potential of these nanostructured optical diffusers for various photoelectric applications.

We report on the first demonstration of laser-diode-pumped master-oscillator power-amplifier (MOPA) system based on Er-doped bulk material working at 2920 nm. The relaxation oscillation at the beginning of the laser pulse from the Er:YAlO3 (YAP) oscillator was suppressed effectively when the pump frequency was increased to 140 Hz, as a result of the establishment of a three-level system. In the amplifier, the small signal gain of the Er:YAP strongly depends on pump duration and repetition frequency, and can reach the upper limit of parasitic oscillation. Further, 25.5 mJ of output pulse energy has been achieved from the amplifier at 150 Hz frequency (2.2 ms pump duration), with over 32% of optical-to-optical efficiency. Further improvement of the amplification ability of the MOPA system was discussed.