Wood decomposition is a key step of the terrestrial carbon cycle and is of economic importance. It is essentially a microbiological process performed by fungi and to an unknown extent by bacteria. To gain access to the genes expressed by the diverse microbial communities participating in wood decay, we developed an RNA extraction protocol from this recalcitrant material rich in polysaccharides and phenolic compounds. This protocol was implemented on 22 wood samples representing as many tree species from 11 plant families in the Angiosperms and Gymnosperms. RNA was successfully extracted from all samples and converted into cDNAs from which were amplified both fungal and bacterial protein coding genes, including genes encoding hydrolytic enzymes participating in lignocellulose hydrolysis. This protocol applicable to a wide range of decomposing wood types represents a first step towards a metatranscriptomic analysis of wood degradation under natural conditions.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the CCHF virus, a member of the Bunyavirales order and the Orthonairoviridae family. The exact pathogenesis is not fully understood. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNAs that are shown to play a role in various pathological processes of viral diseases.
Background: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a global health challenge, driving morbidity and mortality. The emerging field of radiogenomics utilizes statistical methods to correlate radiographic tumor features with genomic characteristics from biopsy samples. Radiomic techniques automate the precise extraction of imaging features from tumor regions in radiographic scans, which are subjected to machine learning (ML) to predict genomic attributes.
Background: As a master immune system regulator, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is closely linked to the complicated pathophysiology and development of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a multisystem fibrotic disease.
Objective: We aim to evaluate the transcriptional levels of TGF-β1 mRNA in PBMCs, assess the TGF-β1 serum levels of SSc patients, and compare them with those of healthy subjects.
Methods: PBMCs were isolated from whole blood of 50 SSc patients and in 30 healthy controls.
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
Background: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a traditional Chinese herb, is known for its various biological effects, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antitumor properties. However, the function and mechanisms of methanol extract of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (MESB) in treating hepatic fibrosis remain unclear.
Methods: This study utilized a CCl4-induced mouse model of hepatic fibrosis to assess the effects of MESB through histopathological analysis and serum tests.
