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Given the paucity of literature available on rabbits infected with Cryptosporidium in Sichuan Province (China), 290 fecal samples were collected from rabbits in the animal house of Sichuan Agricultural University, China and examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts using the Sheather's sucrose flotation technique and a modified acid-fast staining method. Three samples tested positive (prevalence = 1.03%). The positive isolates were genotyped by sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA, HSP70, COWP, and Cp135 genes and characterized by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 18S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis was established using the neighbor-joining (NJ) method. All the isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium cuniculus. Further subtyping of the positive isolates was performed by DNA sequencing of the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Only 1 subtype family was detected, Va, which was proposed to be a new subtype, VaA31. This study is the first report about the prevalence, genetic identification, and Cp135 gene of C. cuniculus in rabbits in Sichuan Province, China. The obtained results indicate that the C. cuniculus subtype in rabbits in Sichuan Province is unique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fecal specimens from two Bactrian camels were collected in the Ya'an city zoo of China and were examined for Cryptosporidium by centrifugal flotation. One specimen was found to be parasitized by Cryptosporidium via microscopy, and the oocysts were measured to have an average size of 7.03 × 5.50 μm ( n > 50). The isolate was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and DNA sequence analysis of the partial 18S rRNA, COWP, and A135 genes, and was confirmed to be Cryptosporidium andersoni with minor nucleotide differences. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis indicated that the subtype of the camel-derived C. andersoni isolate was A4, A4, A4, and A1 at the four minisatellite loci ( MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS16, respectively). Therefore, this isolate belongs to the most common MLST subtype reported in cattle in China and is distinct from two other known camel C. andersoni MLST subtypes (A6, A4, A2, A1 and A6, A5, A2, A1). Animal transmission experiments demonstrated that the C. andersoni isolate was not infectious to immunosuppressed or immunocompetent Kun-ming mice, Sprague-Dawley rats, and hamsters but was biologically similar to most bovine C. andersoni isolates characterized so far. Therefore, transmission of this camel-derived C. andersoni isolate is very likely to occur between camels and bovine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted therapy showed broad application prospects in the treatment of various types of cancer. Through carriers such as aptamers, antibodies, proteins and peptides, targeted therapy can selectively deliver drugs into tumor cells. Compared with traditional treatment methods such as chemo- and radiotherapy, targeted drug delivery systems can reduce the toxic effects of drugs on normal cells and avoid adverse reactions. Herein, an aptamer-cyclometalated iridium(III) complex conjugate (ApIrC) has been designed and developed as a targeted anticancer agent. Owing to the targeting ability of aptamers, ApIrC specifically bound to nucleolin over-expressed on the surface of cancer cells and showed strong fluorescence signal for tumor imaging and diagnosis. ApIrC had more substantial cellular uptake in cancer cells than the iridium complex alone and exhibited favorable low toxicity to normal cells. After uptake by cells through endocytosis, ApIrC can selectively accumulated in mitochondria and induced caspase-3/7-dependent cell death. Remarkably, ApIrC can also specifically target 3D multicellular spheroids (MCSs) and show excellent tumor permeability. So, it can effectively reach the interior of MCSs and cause cell damage. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the aptamer-cyclometalated iridium(III) complex conjugate which studied for cancer targeted therapy. The developed conjugate has great potential to be developed as novel therapeutics for effective and low-toxic cancer treatment. [Display omitted] • One aptamer-cyclometalated iridium(III) complex conjugate was designed and prepared. • The conjugate specifically targeted cancer cells. • The conjugate showed much efficient tumor penetration than iridium(III) complex. • The conjugate showed less cellular uptake and low toxicity in normal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the most prevalent cancers in the world is lung cancer, with adenocarcinoma (LUAD) making up a significant portion of cases. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), there are new cases and fatality rates per 100,000 individuals as follows: New instances of lung and bronchial cancer occur annually at a rate of 50.0 per 100,000 persons. The yearly death rate for men and women is 35.0 per 100,000. DNA methylation is one of the earliest discovered and widely studied epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, and its abnormality is closely related to the occurrence and development of cancer. However, the prognostic value of DNA methylation and LUAD needs to be further explored to improve the survival prediction of LUAD patients. Methods: The transcriptome data and clinical data of LUAD were downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases, and the Illumina Human Methylation450 array (450k array) data were downloaded from the TCGA database. Firstly, the intersection of the expressed genes of the two databases is corrected, the differential analysis is performed, and the methylation data is evaluated by the MethylMix package to obtain differentially methylated genes. Independent prognostic genes were screened out using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, and a methylation prognostic model was developed using univariate Cox analysis and validated with the GSE30219 dataset in the GEO database. Survival analysis between methylation high-risk and low-risk groups was performed and a methylation-based gene prognostic model was constructed. Finally, the prediction of potential drugs associated with the LUAD gene signature using Drug Sensitivity Genomics in Cancer (GDSC). Results: In this study, a total of 555 samples from the TCGA database and 307 samples from GSE30219 were included, and a total of 24 differential methylation driver genes were identified. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyzes were used to screen out independent prognostic genes, involving 2 genes: CFTR, PKIA. Survival analysis was different between the methylation high-risk group and the low-risk group, the CFTR high methylation group and the low methylation group were poor, and the opposite was true for PKIA. Conclusions: Our study revealed that the methylation status of CFTR and PKIA can serve as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the puzzle of Confucian “divine humanism” in light of the Weberian scheme of religious rationalization. Relating the Confucian humanistic orientation to current discussions of the phenomenon of “amoral familism,” I argue that the Confucian puzzle calls into question the cornerstone of Max Weber's comparative religion, namely his influential contrast between religious legitimation and theodicy. In particular, the puzzle suggests that in pre-Confucian China, there was no legitimate cosmic-social world order to which Confucianism managed to adjust, let alone to affirm. As a matter of fact, it was the Confucian solution to the problem of theodicy that laid the foundation for the legitimacy of the ethical polity. Hence, inverting what Weber and neo-Weberian theorists have asserted about the religious breakthroughs in the Axial Age, theodicy constituted the religious prerequisite for political legitimation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article systematically studies investment regulation policies adopted after 1994 to prevent overcapacity in the Chinese iron and steel industry. Theoretical analysis shows that these policies have three major limitations: they cannot fundamentally govern overcapacity; they cannot be used by policymakers to make accurate predictions or formulate acceptable investment plans; they may disturb the market process and lead to negative policy results. Reviews of policy predictions show that there has always been a large difference between iron and steel industry policy forecasts and plans for investment regulation and market realities. A Hodrick-Prescott filter analysis of the effects of these policies on fixed-asset investment in the industry further reveals that the policies obstruct self-adjustment of fixed-asset investment in the market, leading to negative policy results. Policies of these types should be adopted with great caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-stage face recognition method is presented in this paper. In the first stage, the set of candidate patterns is narrowed down with the global similarity being taken into account. In the second stage, synergetic approach is employed to perform further recognition. Face image is segmented into meaningful regions, each of which is represented as a prototype vector. The similarity between a given region of the test pattern and a stored sample is obtained as the order parameter which serves as an element of the order vector. Finally, a modified definition of the potential function is given, and the dynamic model of recognition is derived from it. The effectiveness of the proposed method is experimentally confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sucrose content is a crucial indicator of quality and flavor in peanut seed, and there is a lack of clarity on the molecular basis of sucrose metabolism in peanut seed. In this context, we performed a comprehensive comparative transcriptome study on the samples collected at seven seed development stages between a high-sucrose content variety (ICG 12625) and a low-sucrose content variety (Zhonghua 10). The transcriptome analysis identified a total of 8334 genes exhibiting significantly different abundances between the high- and low-sucrose varieties. We identified 28 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in sucrose metabolism in peanut and 12 of these encoded sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEETs). The remaining 16 genes encoded enzymes, such as cell wall invertase (CWIN), vacuolar invertase (VIN), cytoplasmic invertase (CIN), cytosolic fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA), cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphate phosphatase (FBP), sucrose synthase (SUS), cytosolic phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), hexokinase (HK), and sucrose-phosphate phosphatase (SPP). The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified seven genes encoding key enzymes (CIN, FBA, FBP, HK, and SPP), three SWEET genes, and 90 transcription factors (TFs) showing a high correlation with sucrose content. Furthermore, upon validation, six of these genes were successfully verified as exhibiting higher expression in high-sucrose recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Our study suggested the key roles of the high expression of SWEETs and enzymes in sucrose synthesis making the genotype ICG 12625 sucrose-rich. This study also provided insights into the molecular basis of sucrose metabolism during seed development and facilitated exploring key candidate genes and molecular breeding for sucrose content in peanuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the improvement of treatment and prognosis for patients with late malignant diseases, certain malignancies with distant metastasis (M1 category) have been further classified into M1a (single metastatic site) and M1b (multiple metastatic sites) category in the staging system. We aimed to assess the feasibility of sub-classifying metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPA) into M1a and M1b category depending on the number of metastatic organs.Methods: Patient records were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2010-2015). Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed using the Cox regression model. Then survival analysis was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results: A total of 11,885 patients were included in this analysis, including 9425 patients with single metastasis and 2460 patients with multiple metastases. Multivariable analysis showed that gender, age, marital status, grade, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors for patients with single metastasis; gender, age, marital status, grade, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors for patients with multiple metastases. Notably, surgery was an independent prognostic factor for patients with single metastasis (P < 0.001) but not for patients with multiple metastases (P = 0.134). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with single metastasis (M1a) had better survival outcomes than patients with multiple metastases (M1b) (P < 0.001).Conclusions: PA patients with M1 diseases could be divided into M1a (single metastasis) category and M1b (multiple metastases) category by the number of metastatic organs. The subclassification would facilitate individualized treatment for late PA patients. Surgery was associated with lower mortality in M1a patients but not significantly in M1b patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although ferroptosis plays a crucial role in hepatic ischemia‒reperfusion injury (IRI), the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. We aimed to explore the potential involvement of the receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) in hepatic IRI-triggered ferroptosis. Using hepatocyte-specific RACK1 knockout mice and alpha mouse liver 12 (AML12) cells, we conducted a series of in vivo and in vitro experiments. We found that RACK1 has a protective effect on hepatic IRI-induced ferroptosis. Specifically, RACK1 was found to interact with AMPKα through its 1–93 amino acid (aa) region, which facilitates the phosphorylation of AMPKα at threonine 172 (Thr172), ultimately exerting an antiferroptotic effect. Furthermore, the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) ZNFX1 Antisense 1 (ZFAS1) directly binds to aa 181–317 of RACK1. ZFAS1 has a dual impact on RACK1 by promoting its ubiquitin‒proteasome-mediated degradation and inhibiting its expression at the transcriptional level, which indirectly exacerbates hepatic IRI-induced ferroptosis. These findings underscore the protective role of RACK1 in hepatic IRI-induced ferroptosis and showcase its potential as a prophylactic target for hepatic IRI mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive gliosis and inflammatory reaction are common pathological change to spinal cord injury (SCI). Whereas, the effects of melatonin (MT) on the astro- and microgliosis and their related inflammatory response in the injured spinal cord are not fully understood. In this study, MT's effects on the accumulation and proliferation of microglia and astrocytes and their related inflammatory response were investigated in an acute SCI model. The effects of MT on oxidative stress, neuronal survival and behavioral performance were also tested. It was found that MT treatment significantly suppressed the accumulation and the proliferation of microglia and astrocytes. Quantitative PCR data showed that MT significantly down-regulated the pro-inflammatory markers iNOS, IL-1β and TNF-α expressions. The data showed that MT led to the rise in SOD, CAT and GSH-Px contents and the decrease in MDA content. Western blotting analysis verified that MT significantly down-regulated caspase-3, Bax and GFAP expressions, up-regulated Bcl-2 expression. Compared with the SCI vehicle-treated group, the SCI MT-treated group exhibited a greater Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) locomotor rating score. On the whole, these findings implied that MT exerts its neuroprotective effects by suppressing the accumulation and the proliferation of microglia and astrocytes and reducing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which might be one of the underlying mechanisms of the MT's neuroprotective effect after SCI. Accordingly, MT may be a promising therapeutic candidate for acute SCI. • MT treatment attenuated the astro- and microgliosis and reduced the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines. • The reduction of secondary injury and the functional recovery may be associated with the MT's-regulated glial cell reaction and inflammatory response after SCI. • MT treatment improved the recovery of functional outcomes after SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Enhanced flexible room temperature ammonia sensor based on FeCl 3 -PEDOT: PSS films. • Inkjet printing gas sensing films with controlled film thickness and additive level. • FeCl 3 additive plays two key role in response to NH 3. • A simple and effective method to find new sensing material with inkjet printing method. Herein we report improved ammonia (NH 3) gas sensing properties based on poly (3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) thin films with ferric chloride (FeCl 3) as additives, which were prepared by inkjet printing the PEDOT: PSS solution and FeCl 3 aqueous solution onto the flexible polyimide films in sequence. PEDOT: PSS based gas sensing films with different thickness and different content of FeCl 3 were formed. The morphologies and electrical properties of these films were investigated by scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and an instrument designed to measure the gas sensing abilities of the films. The results showed that the addition of FeCl 3 to the PEDOT: PSS (FeCl 3 -PEDOT: PSS) thin film improved the NH 3 sensing performance of the sensor significantly. The response value was increased tenfold to approximately 44%, and the response time was reduced by 30 times to 20 s than those of the pure PEDOT: PSS film for detecting 50 ppm NH 3 at 20 °C. Furthermore, the lower detectable NH 3 concentration of the FeCl 3 -PEDOT: PSS thin film sensor was 0.5 ppm at room temperature with the response value of 7.6%. Additionally, the FeCl 3 -PEDOT: PSS thin film sensor presented excellent flexible stability, showing only minor response value changes with different bending angles. The results reveal the potential application of flexible based sensor for monitoring NH 3 gas under ambient conditions and show that ink-jet printing is a simple and low-cost method to prepare flexible gas sensing films with controlled film thickness and additive level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aflatoxin contamination caused by Aspergillus flavus is a major constraint to peanut industry worldwide due to its toxicological effects to human and animals. Developing peanut varieties with resistance to seed infection and/or aflatoxin accumulation is the most effective and economic strategy for reducing aflatoxin risk in food chain. Breeding for resistance to aflatoxin in peanut is a challenging task for breeders because the genetic basis is still poorly understood. To identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to aflatoxin contamination in peanut, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was developed from crossing Zhonghua 10 (susceptible) with ICG 12625 (resistant). The percent seed infection index (PSII), the contents of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) of RILs were evaluated by a laboratory kernel inoculation assay. Results: Two QTLs were identified for PSII including one major QTL with 11.32–13.00% phenotypic variance explained (PVE). A total of 12 QTLs for aflatoxin accumulation were detected by unconditional analysis, and four of them (qAFB1A07 and qAFB1B06.1 for AFB1, qAFB2A07 and qAFB2B06 for AFB2) exhibited major and stable effects across multiple environments with 9.32–21.02% PVE. Furthermore, not only qAFB1A07 and qAFB2A07 were co-localized in the same genetic interval on LG A07, but qAFB1B06.1 was also co-localized with qAFB2B06 on LG B06. Conditional QTL mapping also confirmed that there was a strong interaction between resistance to AFB1 and AFB2 accumulation. Genotyping of RILs revealed that qAFB1A07 and qAFB1B06.1 interacted additively to improve the resistance to both AFB1 and AFB2 accumulation. Additionally, validation of the two markers was performed in diversified germplasm collection and four accessions with resistance to aflatoxin accumulation were identified. Conclusions: Single major QTL for resistance to PSII and two important co-localized intervals associated with major QTLs for resistance to AFB1 and AFB2. Combination of these intervals could improve the resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in peanut. SSR markers linked to these intervals were identified and validated. The identified QTLs and associated markers exhibit potential to be applied in improvement of resistance to aflatoxin contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A major QTL for aflatoxin production resistance was identified in a 1.98 Mbp genomic region by both NGS-based QTL-seq approach and genetic linkage analysis. • A gene namely AhAftr1 , annotated as "NB-LRRs protein gene" with structural variation (SV) in the LRRs domain between parental lines was identified by fine-mapping using a secondary segregation mapping population. • Transgenic experiments confirmed that the SV of AhAftr1 confers aflatoxin production resistance. • RNA-Seq and differential gene expression analysis indicated that AhAftr1 might be involved in disease resistance via the ETI pathway. • Thirty-six lines were identified from a special panel of germplasm accessions and breeding lines by using AFTR.Del.A07, which was developed based on the SV, and their aflatoxin content were decreased by over 77.67% compared to the susceptible control Zhonghua12. Peanut is susceptible to infection of Aspergillus fungi and conducive to aflatoxin contamination, hence developing aflatoxin-resistant variety is highly meaningful. Identifying functional genes or loci conferring aflatoxin resistance and molecular diagnostic marker are crucial for peanut breeding. This work aims to (1) identify candidate gene for aflatoxin production resistance, (2) reveal the related resistance mechanism, and (3) develop diagnostic marker for resistance breeding program. Resistance to aflatoxin production in a recombined inbred line (RIL) population derived from a high-yielding variety Xuhua13 crossed with an aflatoxin-resistant genotype Zhonghua 6 was evaluated under artificial inoculation for three consecutive years. Both genetic linkage analysis and QTL-seq were conducted for QTL mapping. The candidate gene was further fine-mapped using a secondary segregation mapping population and validated by transgenic experiments. RNA-Seq analysis among resistant and susceptible RILs was used to reveal the resistance pathway for the candidate genes. The major effect QTL qAFTRA07.1 for aflatoxin production resistance was mapped to a 1.98 Mbp interval. A gene, AhAftr1 (Arachis hypogaea Aflatoxin resistance 1), was detected structure variation (SV) in leucine rich repeat (LRR) domain of its production, and involved in disease resistance response through the effector-triggered immunity (ETI) pathway. Transgenic plants with overexpression of AhAftr1 (ZH6) exhibited 57.3% aflatoxin reduction compared to that of AhAftr1 (XH13). A molecular diagnostic marker AFTR.Del.A07 was developed based on the SV. Thirty-six lines, with aflatoxin content decrease by over 77.67% compared to the susceptible control Zhonghua12 (ZH12), were identified from a panel of peanut germplasm accessions and breeding lines through using AFTR.Del.A07. Our findings would provide insights of aflatoxin production resistance mechanisms and laid meaningful foundation for further breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut is an important source of edible vegetable oils worldwide. Saturated fatty acid content is a key factor that affects the quality of peanut oil; thus, reducing its content is a key objective in peanut breeding. In this study, we constructed a dense genetic map of recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (Zhonghua 10 × ICG 12625) with 1443 SSR loci, covering a total length of 2279.10 cM. Using phenotypic data from three environments, we have identified 59 additive QTLs including eight stable ones and nine epistatic QTLs for various fatty acids. Combination of conditional and unconditional QTL analyses further revealed that there was a high genetic correlation between stearic acid and very long-chain saturated fatty acids. In addition, four QTL clusters (CLB04-1, CLB04-2, CLB04-3, and CLB06) harboring major and stable QTLs for saturated fatty acids were identified, which explained 10.77–36.73%, 35.10–41.89%, 10.79–39.18%, and 4.85–20.32% phenotypic variations, respectively. The physical interval of four QTL clusters was located at pseudomolecule B04 and B06 of Arachis ipaensis, containing putative genes that encode enzymes and transcription factors involved in fatty acid biosynthesis pathways. This study comprehensively analyzed the genetic components that controlled saturated fatty acid profiles and identified four QTL clusters containing stable QTLs with large effects. Our results could provide a platform for further gene discovery and guide the development of markers for genome-wide assisted selection of varieties with desired components of saturated fatty acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peanut is one of the primary sources for vegetable oil worldwide, and enhancing oil content is the main objective in several peanut breeding programs of the world. Tightly linked markers are required for faster development of high oil content peanut varieties through genomics-assisted breeding (GAB), and association mapping is one of the promising approaches for discovery of such associated markers. Results: An association mapping panel consisting of 292 peanut varieties extensively distributed in China was phenotyped for oil content and genotyped with 583 polymorphic SSR markers. These markers amplified 3663 alleles with an average of 6.28 alleles per locus. The structure, phylogenetic relationship, and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated two subgroups majorly differentiating based on geographic regions. Genome-wide association analysis identified 12 associated markers including one (AGGS1014_2) highly stable association controlling up to 9.94% phenotypic variance explained (PVE) across multiple environments. Interestingly, the frequency of the favorable alleles for 12 associated markers showed a geographic difference. Two associated markers (AGGS1014_2 and AHGS0798) with 6.90–9.94% PVE were verified to enhance oil content in an independent RIL population and also indicated selection during the breeding program. Conclusion: This study provided insights into the genetic basis of oil content in peanut and verified highly associated two SSR markers to facilitate marker-assisted selection for developing high-oil content breeding peanut varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we synthesized 4 cyclometalated iridium complexes using N-(1,10-phenanthrolin-5-yl)picolinamide (PPA) as the main ligand, denoted as [Ir(ppy) 2 PPA]PF 6 (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, Ir1), [Ir(bzq) 2 PPA]PF 6 (bzq = benzo[ h ]quinoline, Ir2), [Ir(dfppy) 2 PPA]PF 6 (dfppy = 2-(3,5-difluorophenyl)pyridine, Ir3), and [Ir(thpy) 2 PPA]PF 6 (thpy = 2-(thiophene-2-yl)pyridine, Ir4). Compared to cisplatin and oxaliplatin, all four complexes exhibited significant anti-tumor activity. Among them, Ir2 demonstrated higher cytotoxicity against A549 cells, with an IC 50 value of 1.6 ± 0.2 μM. The experimental results indicated that Ir2 primarily localized in the mitochondria, inducing a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, that decreased in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reduced ATP production, and further impaired mitochondrial function, leading to cytochrome c release. Additionally, Ir2 caused cell cycle arrest at the S phase and induced apoptosis through the AKT-mediated signaling pathway. Further investigations revealed that Ir2 could simultaneously induce both apoptosis and autophagy in A549 cells, with the latter acting as a non-protective mechanism that promoted cell death. More importantly, Ir2 exhibited low toxicity to both normal LO2 cells in vitro and zebrafish embryos in vivo. Consequently, these newly developed Ir(III) complexes show great potential in the development of novel and low-toxicity anticancer agents. Four new cyclometalated iridium complexes Ir1-Ir4 were prepared and exhibited excellent cytotoxic activity. Complex Ir2 induced cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis and autophagy. Complex Ir2 exhibited low toxicity to both normal LO2 cells in vitro and zebrafish embryos in vivo. [Display omitted] • Four new cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes Ir1-Ir4 were prepared and exhibited excellent cytotoxic activity. • Ir2 preferentially accumulated in mitochondria and caused a series of changes in mitochondrial events. • Complexes Ir1-Ir4 exhibited low toxicity to both normal LO2 cells in vitro and zebrafish embryos in vivo. • Ir2 could simultaneously induce both apoptosis and autophagy in A549 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]