Hepatitis B virus core protein stabilizes RANGAP1 to upregulate KDM2A and facilitate hepatocarcinogenesis.

Purpose: As a vital component of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleocapsid, HBV core protein (HBC) contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis. Here, we aimed to assess the effects of RANGAP1 and KDM2A on tumorigenesis induced by HBC.

Methods: Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) combined with mass spectrometry were utilized to identify the proteins with the capacity to interact with HBC.

Soluble egg antigen of Schistosoma japonicum induces pyroptosis in hepatic stellate cells by modulating ROS production.

Background: Inflammation-induced dysfunction of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is involved in schistosomiasis-associated liver fibrosis, and soluble egg antigen (SEA) is a crucial pathogen-associated molecular pattern associated with liver injury in schistosomiasis. In addition, numerous studies have shown that caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis participates in the development of multiple inflammation-related diseases. However, whether pyroptotic cell death of HSCs is involved in SEA-mediated liver damage is not well understood.

Ag/Pyridine Co-Mediated Oxidative Arylthiocyanation of Activated Alkenes.

An efficient Ag/pyridine co-mediated oxidative arylthiocyanation of activated alkenes via radical addition/cyclization cascade process was developed. This reaction could be carried out under mild conditions to provide biologically interesting 3-alkylthiocyanato-2-oxindoles in good to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies suggested a unique NCS• radical addition path and clarified the dual roles of catalytic pyridine as base and crucial ligand to accelerate the oxidation of Ag(I) to Ag(II), which is likely oxidant responsible for the formation of NCS• radical.

Chitinophaga salinisoli sp. nov., isolated from saline soil.

A novel aerobic bacterium, designated strain LAM9153, was isolated from a saline soil sample collected from Lingxian County, Shandong Province, China. Cells of strain LAM9153 were observed to be Gram-stain negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. The new isolate grew optimally at 30-35 °C, pH 7.

MHC II, but not MHC II, hepatic Stellate cells contribute to liver fibrosis of mice in infection with Schistosoma japonicum.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are considered as the main effector cells in vitamin A metabolism and liver fibrosis, as well as in hepatic immune regulation. Recently, researches have revealed that HSCs have plasticity and heterogeneity, which depend on their lobular location and whether liver is normal or injured. This research aimed to explore the biological characteristics and heterogeneity of HSCs in mice with Schistosoma japonicum (S.

Arenimonas alkanexedens sp. nov., isolated from a frozen soil sample.

A novel facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated strain LAM-WHM-D11, was isolated from a frozen soil sample of China. Cells of strain LAM-WHM-D11 were observed to be Gram-stain negative, non-motile and rod-shaped. Colonies were yellowish, and circular with convex shape.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Peroxidation of 2-Oxindoles with Hydroperoxides.

A highly efficient and facile cobalt-catalyzed C-H activation and peroxidation of 2-oxindoles was reported, which provides a new pathway for the synthesis of biologically active 3-peroxy-2-oxindoles from readily available starting materials in excellent chemical yields. The resulting products could be further transformed into various substituted 3-peroxyoxindoles in good to excellent yields. The developed method has been successfully applied to the synthesis of the natural product (±)-N-[2-(3-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]acetamide.

Paenibacillus salinicaeni sp. nov., isolated from saline silt sample.

A novel facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated strain LAM0A28(T), was isolated from a saline silt sample collected from the Chinese Sea of Death located in Suining city, Sichuan province, China. Cells of strain LAM0A28(T) were observed to be Gram-stain positive, motile, endospore-forming and straight-rod shaped. Strain LAM0A28(T) was found to be able to grow at 15-45 °C (optimum: 30-35 °C), pH 5.

FeCl3-Mediated Radical Tandem Reactions of 3-Benzyl-2-oxindoles with Styrene Derivatives for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Spirocyclohexene Oxindoles.

A novel FeCl3-mediated reaction of 3-benzyl-2-oxindoles with styrene derivatives was developed. The reaction provided spirocyclohexene oxindoles in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities via a tandem radical addition/cyclization process.

A metal-free yne-addition/1,4-aryl migration/decarboxylation cascade reaction of alkynoates with Csp(3)-H centers.

A metal-free cascade reaction of aryl alkynoates with five different types of radical precursors (R-H) through an yne-addition/1,4-aryl migration/decarboxylation process was reported, which allowed facile and convenient access to functionalized vinyl products with "R" and protons located at the identical carbon of the formed double bond.

Lentibacillus amyloliquefaciens sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from saline sediment sample.

A Gram-stain positive, non-motile, non-sporogenous, aerobic, rod-shaped and halophilic bacterium, designated LAM0015(T), was isolated from a saline sediment sample collected from Yantai City in China. The isolate was found to be able to grow at NaCl concentrations of 5-25 % (w/v) (optimum: 7-12 %), 15-45 °C (optimum: 35 °C) and pH 5.0-9.

Paenibacillus populi sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of Populus alba.

A novel aerobic bacterium, designated strain LAM0705(T), was isolated from the rhizosphere of Populus alba in the Peking University Third Hospital. Cells of strain LAM0705(T) were observed to be Gram-stain positive, motile, spore-forming and rod-shaped. The optimal temperature and pH for growth were found to be 30 °C and pH 7.

Paenibacillus vini sp. nov., isolated from alcohol fermentation pit mud in Sichuan Province, China.

A novel facultatively anaerobic bacterial strain, designated LAM0504(T), was isolated from a pit mud of Luzhou flavour liquor alcohol fermentation in Sichuan Province, China. Cells of strain LAM0504(T) were observed to be Gram-stain negative, spore-forming, rod shaped and motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Strain LAM0504(T) was found to be able to grow at 20-48 °C (optimum: 30 °C), pH 5.

[Isolation and identification of Toxoplasma gondii strains from cats in Xuzhou region].

Objective: To isolate Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) strains from stray cats and explore their prevalence in Xuzhou City.

Methods: The sera of 41 stray cats were collected to detect the antibodies of T.