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Microbial DNA extraction is a critical step in metagenomic research. High contents of chemical substances in wood tissues always cause low microbial DNA yield and quality. Up to date, almost no specialized methods involved in microbial DNA extraction from living wood were reported. In this study, an improved protocol (M1) concerning microbial DNA extraction from living poplar wood was developed. We compared microbial DNA yield and quality by M1 with those by other seven methods, including PowerSoil DNA isolation kit (M2), two soil microbial DNA extraction methods (M3 and M4), poplar genomic DNA extraction method from wood (M5), and microbial DNA extraction method from herb stems (M6), isolating bacteria (M7) and isolating fungus (M8). Results showed that M1 yielded much better quality and concentration of microbial DNA than the other methods (M2-M8) from both poplar wetwood and sapwood tissues. Following M1 protocol, 1 g of wetwood sample could yield 272.27 ng/ul (vol=50 ul) pure microbial DNA with the absorption ratios of 1.87 (A260/A230) and 1.66 (A260/A280). For 1 g of sapwood sample, these values were 361.83 ng/ul, 1.85 and 2.24, respectively. These DNA could be stably visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis and amplified by primer sets of bacteria (16S V3-V4, 16S-V4, 16S V4-V5) and fungus (ITS1, ITS2). While, the other seven methods only obtained less or contaminated microbial DNA, which could not be amplified stably by aforementioned primer sets. Our protocol provided an approach for microbial community study in living poplar wood in a more accurate way by molecular biology techniques.

Background • Lupus nephritis (LN), caused by Systemic lupus erythematosus, is a chronic autoimmune renal disease and a key risk factor for morbidity and fatality involving 50% damage to the kidney. LN is associated with aberrant functioning of the immune system, characterized by increased systemic inflammation, altered lymphocyte count, perivascular infiltration of inflammatory cells, and declined organ functioning. Current Therapies and Limitations • Conventional therapies to LN include high-dose glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, calcineurin inhibitors, immune boosters, and targeted medicines that improve kidney functioning. However, these drugs triggered severe adverse side effects, and their prolonged usage resulted in drug resistance, accentuating LN complications. TCM in LN Treatment • Hence, safe and functional Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM), with supporting clinical trials and observational studies, received significant recognition worldwide for the Treatment of LN. In the form of herbal extracts and preparations, TCM proved effective in treating immunodeficient disorders, including LN. Additionally, acupuncture as a TCM appeared promising in reducing LN-induced inflammation and joint pain. Mechanisms and Benefits • The therapeutic mechanisms included reduced antibody generation, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, immune complex formation, complement activation, extracellular matrix damage and proteinuria levels that played vital roles in chronic kidney diseases. They generated immunosuppressive effects by modulating apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory signaling pathways, such as JAK/STAT, NF-κB, AP-1 and MAPK and their cross-talk in LN and associated renal injury. These therapies improved blood circulation, alleviated renal pathological changes, restored glomerular capillary functioning, and regenerated renal tissues. However, an essential requisite for these therapies for LN included reduced side effects and improved hepatoprotection and detoxification. Clinical studies suggest that TCM formulations may demonstrate therapeutic benefits in alleviating the symptoms of LN, suggesting prospects of combined applications with Western medicine to enhance treatment efficiencies. Overall, TCM is beneficial for treating LN, and may serve as a potential alternative to conventional medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein and starch are the most important traits in determining processing quality in wheat. In order to understand the genetic basis of the influence of Waxy protein (Wx) and high molecular weight gluten subunit (HMW-GS) on processing quality, 256 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross of waxy wheat Nuomai 1 and Gaocheng 8901 were used as mapping population. DArT (diversity arrays technology), SSR (simple sequence repeat), HMW-GS, and Wx markers were used to construct the molecular genetic linkage map. QTLs for mixing peak time (MPT), mixing peak value (MPV), mixing peak width (MPW), and mixing peak integral (MPI) of Mixograph parameters were evaluated in three different environments. The genetic map comprised 498 markers, including 479 DArT, 14 SSR, 2 HMW-GS, and 3 Wx protein markers, covering 4 229.7 cM with an average distance of 9.77 cM. These markers were identified on 21 chromosomes. Eighteen additive QTLs were detected in three different environments, which were distributed on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 1D, 4A, 6A, and 7D. QMPT-1D.1 and QMPT-1D.2 were close to the Glu-D1 marker accounting for 35.2, 22.22 and 36.57% of the phenotypic variance in three environments, respectively. QMPV-1D and QMPV-4A were detected in all environments, and QMPV-4A was the nearest to Wx-B1. One minor QTL, QMPI-1A, was detected under three environments with the genetic distances of 0.9 cM from the nearest marker Glu-A1, explaining from 5.31 to 6.67% of the phenotypic variance. Three pairs of epistatic QTLs were identified on chromosomes 2D and 4A. Therefore, this genetic map is very important and useful for quality trait related QTL mapping in wheat. In addition, the finding of several major QTLs, based on the genetic analyses, further suggested the importance of Glu-1 loci on dough mixing characteristics.

As one of the most effective enzymatic modification methods of protein, papain hydrolysis is applied widely in food production, accompanying starch pasting frequently in order to improve industrial quality. Effects of the papain hydrolysis on flour pasting properties were investigated in five papain/flour concentrations and five time-treatments. The structure of starch and protein networks in slurry was investigated under microscope before and after pasting. Results showed that papain hydrolysis influenced the pasting properties of wheat flour significantly through affecting structural characteristics, amylase activity and exothermic transition, especially during the early stage of hydrolysis. Peak viscosity, trough, final, integral area, and setback significantly decreased along with the increasing concentration of papain. Both hydrolysis time and concentration of papain had obviously effect on the breakdown. Pasting temperature and pasting time increased significantly with the enhancement of papain concentration. Hydrolysis time exerted minor effect on the pasting temperature and pasting time. The average peak time was slightly prolonged by lower concentration of papain, otherwise slightly shortened by higher concentration.