Identification of genes associated with the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid and oil accumulation in herbaceous peony 'Hangshao' (Paeonia lactiflora 'Hangshao') seeds based on transcriptome analysis.

BACKGROUND: Paeonia lactiflora 'Hangshao' is widely cultivated in China as a traditional Chinese medicine 'Radix Paeoniae Alba'. Due to the abundant unsaturated fatty acids in its seed, it can also be regarded as a new oilseed plant. However, the process of the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids in it has remained unknown. Therefore, transcriptome analysis is helpful to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: Five main fatty acids were detected, including stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, and their absolute contents first increased and then decreased during seed development. A total of 150,156 unigenes were obtained by transcriptome sequencing. There were 15,005 unigenes annotated in the seven functional databases, including NR, NT, GO, KOG, KEGG, Swiss-Prot and InterPro. Based on the KEGG database, 1766 unigenes were annotated in the lipid metabolism. There were 4635, 12,304, and 18,291 DEGs in Group I (60 vs 30 DAF), Group II (90 vs 60 DAF) and Group III (90 vs 30 DAF), respectively. A total of 1480 DEGs were detected in the intersection of the three groups. In 14 KEGG pathways of lipid metabolism, 503 DEGs were found, belonging to 111 enzymes. We screened out 123 DEGs involved in fatty acid biosynthesis (39 DEGs), fatty acid elongation (33 DEGs), biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid (24 DEGs), TAG assembly (17 DEGs) and lipid storage (10 DEGs). Furthermore, qRT-PCR was used to analyze the expression patterns of 16 genes, including BBCP, BC, MCAT, KASIII, KASII, FATA, FATB, KCR, SAD, FAD2, FAD3, FAD7, GPAT, DGAT, OLE and CLO, most of which showed the highest expression at 45 DAF, except for DGAT, OLE and CLO, which showed the highest expression at 75 DAF. CONCLUSIONS: We predicted that MCAT, KASIII, FATA, SAD, FAD2, FAD3, DGAT and OLE were the key genes in the unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and oil accumulation in herbaceous peony seed. This study provides the first comprehensive genomic resources characterizing herbaceous peony seed gene expression at the transcriptional level. These data lay the foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid biosynthesis and oil accumulation for herbaceous peony.

[Application of AO miniplate and screw in the treatment of metacarpophalangeal joint periarticular fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacies for open reduction and internal fixation of unstable periarticular fractures of metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) with the AO miniature plate system. METHODS: A total of 265 patients (172 males and 93 females) with 302 MCP periarticular fractures were retrospectively reviewed. Their mean age was 32.5 years old (range: 17 - 59). The standard internal fixation treatment method was established on the basis of the AO/ASIF Comprehensive Classification of Fractures. A "T" shape plate, double-row-plate or a condylar plate was used for A2, A3, C1, C2 type fractures. Screws alone were used for B type fractures. Active and passive flexion and extension exercises at Day 3 post-operation within the limits of patient pain tolerance. All patients were evaluated regarding the total active motion (TAM) score, average PROM, quick-DASH score, the power of gripping, pinching and Kapandji score. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for an average of 4.6 months (range: 4 - 24). Radiological examinations showed that the fracture line disappeared in an average of 8.2 weeks (average: 8.2). According to TAM rating criteria, the functions of hands were as follows: excellent (n = 113), good (n = 136) and poor (n = 53). The fair rate was 82.8%. The average PROM of MP joint was 82.3° ± 4.7° and the average quick-DASH score 17.4. Contrast to the health side, the power of gripping recovered for 94.5% and pinching for 88.6%. The Kapandji score was 90%. A total of 103 MCP (34.1%) completely recovered. Contrasting between the head of metacarpal fracture combined the base of proximal phalangeal fracture and alone the head of metacarpal fracture or the base of proximal phalangeal fracture, the post-operative rates of complications and tendon adhesion were higher. As compared with traditional methods, each of the above parameters had statistic significances (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Because of complex anatomic structures, the MCP periarticular fractures have such complications as tendon adhesion, joint stiffness and post-traumatic arthritis, etc. The traditional treatment method is less effective. The AO miniplate and screw system provides rigid and stable fixation so that it is a preferred technique in the treatment of MCP periarticular fractures.

[Growth hormone enhances regeneration of cavernous nerves after their transplantation in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of growth hormone (GH) on penile erection after reconstruction of cavernous nerves using sural nerve as an interposition nerve graft in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats (3-4 ms of age and 300-400 g in weight) were randomly divided into 2 groups: nerve graft group and GH group, each electrostimulated to determine the erectile potency 2 and 4 months after nerve graft (followed by hypodermic GH injection). The nNOS-positive nerve fibers in the corpora cavemosa were examined by streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemistry technique (SP method). Image analysis was used to calculate the area stained in pixel. RESULTS: Electrostimulation at 2 months produced 31.25% of erections in the GH group but none in the grafted rats. There was a significant difference in the erection rate produced by electrostimulation between the two groups at 2 months (P < 0.05). The pixel of the expression of nNOS-positive nerve fibers in the GH group (38971 +/- 7692) was also greater than that of the graft group (16538 +/- 3179, P < 0.05). At 4 months, 43.75% of the graft group and 75% of the GH group produced erections upon electrostimulation, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The pixels of the expression of nNOS-positive nerve fibers were 79276 +/- 12,021 and 91348 +/- 18965, respectively (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: GH can accelerate the regeneration of cavernous nerves after bilateral nerve grafting, and GH administration may present a new physiological approach to the treatment of erectile dysfunction after radical pelvic surgery.

Two isomeric 2-[4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-(prop-2-ynyloxy)phenyl]hexahydroisoindole-1,3-dione compounds.

The molecular structures of 2-[4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-(prop-2-ynyloxy)phenyl]-1,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydroisoindole-1,3-dione, C17H13ClFNO3, (I), and the isomeric compound 2-[4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-(prop-2-ynyloxy)phenyl]-cis-1,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydroisoindole-1,3-dione, (II), are, as anticipated, significantly different in their conformations and in the distances between the farthest two atoms. The six-membered ring of the 1,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydroisoindole-1,3-dione moiety in (I) adopts a half-chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the five-membered dione ring of (I) and the benzene ring is 50.96 (7) degrees . The six-membered ring of the cis-1,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydroisoindole-1,3-dione moiety in (II) adopts a boat conformation. The dihedral angle in (II) between the five-membered dione ring and the benzene ring is 61.03 (13) degrees . In the crystal structures, the molecules are linked by C-H...O hydrogen bonds and weak pi-pi interactions. Compound (I) is a much more potent herbicide than (II). The Cl...H distances between the farthest two atoms in (I) and (II) are 11.37 and 9.97 A, respectively.

[Expression of heme oxygenase-1 in skeletal muscle after ischemia-reperfusion in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in the skeletal muscle after ischemia-reperfusion of hind limb in rats. METHODS: A model of hind limb ischemia was made by clamping femoral artery with a microvascular clip. Soleus muscle was obtained from the animals received sham operation, 4 h ischemia without reperfusion and 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 16 h, 24 h reperfusion after 4 h ischemia. Soleus histology and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured. The levels of HO-1 mRNA and protein were measured in different time by Northern blotting, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry technique. RESULTS: After ischemia-reperfusion of limb, HO-1 mRNA increased at the 2nd hour, reached a peak at the 8th hour, and returned toward baseline at the 24th hour. The change of protein level was essentially in agreement with that of mRNA. Immunohistochemical results showed that HO-1 expressed primarily in skeletal muscle cytoplasma. There were no positive signals of mRNA and protein in sham group and in ischemia group. After limb reperfusion, MDA contents in the soleus muscle increased significantly when compared with that in the sham group (P < 0.05). MDA content of the 8th after reperfusion decreased significantly when compared with that of the 4 h after reperfusion (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ischemia-reperfusion can induce HO-1 expression in skeletal muscle in rats, which may provide protection for injured tissue.