Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Fatty Acid Desaturase (FAD) Genes in Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz.

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz is an indispensable oilseed crop, and its seeds contain many unsaturated fatty acids. FAD (fatty acid desaturase) regulates the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. In this research, we performed CsFAD gene family analysis and identified 24 CsFAD genes in Camelina, which were unevenly distributed on 14 of the 19 total chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CsFAD includes four subfamilies, supported by the conserved structures and motifs of CsFAD genes. In addition, we investigated the expression patterns of the FAD family in the different tissues of Camelina. We found that CsFAD family genes were all expressed in the stem, and CsFAD2-2 was highly expressed in the early stage of seed development. Moreover, during low temperature (4 °C) stress, we identified that the expression level of CsFAD2-2 significantly changed. By observing the transient expression of CsFAD2-2 in Arabidopsis protoplasts, we found that CsFAD2-2 was located on the nucleus. Through the detection and analysis of fatty acids, we prove that CsFAD2-2 is involved in the synthesis of linolenic acid (C18:3). In conclusion, we identified CsFAD2-2 through the phylogenetic analysis of the CsFAD gene family and further determined the fatty acid content to find that CsFAD2-2 is involved in fatty acid synthesis in Camelina.

Identification of dicyclohexyl phthalate as a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist by molecular docking and multiple in vitro methods.

The potential activities of phthalate esters (PAEs) that interfere with the endocrine system have been focused recently. However, information on modulating the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) of PAEs is scarce. Our aim was to evaluate the agonistic / antagonistic properties of PAEs on human GR. Luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that the tested chemicals displayed no agonistic effects but dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) exerted antagonistic activity in a dose-responsive manner for GR in HeLa cells. The effects of DCHP on dexamethasone (DEX)-induced GR nuclear translocation and gene expression of glucocorticoid-responsive gene expression (G6Pase, PEPCK, FAS, GILZ and MKP-1), as well as protein expression of G6Pase and PEPCK were further examined by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. DCHP antagonized DEX-induced GR nuclear translocation and suppressed gene expression in both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, the results of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation showed that DCHP could bind to GR and exhibited potential regulation on this target protein. Collectively, we demonstrate that DCHP may act as a GR antagonist in vitro and is considered to exert endocrine effects via human GR.

Phthalate esters and dexamethasone synergistically activate glucocorticoid receptor.

This study was conducted to determine the endocrine-disrupting effects of phthalate esters (PAEs) on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling. Potential (anti)glucocorticoid activities of six typical PAEs including di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dimethyl phthalate (DMP) were evaluated on human GR using cell viability assessment, reporter gene expression analysis, mRNA analysis, and molecular docking and simulation. For all tested chemicals, co-treatment of DEHP and DINP with dexamethasone (DEX) exhibited a synergistic effect on GR transactivity in the reporter assays. Such co-treatment also synergistically enhanced DEX-induced upregulation of GR mediated gene (PEPCK, FAS and MKP-1) mRNA expression in HepG2 cells and A549 cells. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations showed that hydrophobic interactions may stabilize the binding between molecules and GR. In summary, DEHP and DINP may be involved in synergistic effects via human GR, which highlight the potential endocrine-disrupting activities of PAEs as contaminants.

Effects of Duhuojisheng Tang and combined therapies on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc: a systematic review of randomized control trails.

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the curative effect and safety of Duhuojisheng Tang on prolapse of the lumbar intervertebral disc. METHODS: The databases of PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) and Chinese Medical Citation Index (CMCI) were searched up to January 30, 2012. Randomized controlled trials were selected to compare Duhuojisheng Tang with one or more of the following treatments: traction, acupuncture, massage, cupping and Western medical treatment. The quality-evaluating standard and the software RevMan 5.1 in Cochrane coordinative net were used to analyze the data. The effective indexes of the results were clinical curative rate, effectiveness of alleviating clinical symptoms and adverse reaction. RESULTS: Thirty-one randomized controlled trials of low quality, involving 3915 patients were systematically evaluated. Statistical analyses showed that good curative effect was achieved in both the group using Duhuojisheng Tang alone and with combined therapies. CONCLUSION: Using Duhuojisheng Tang alone or combined with other therapies can effectively improve pain, leg-raising height and other clinical symptoms of patients with prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc. Due to low methodological quality of the articles, no exact recommendations can be made.

Colorimetric films based on pectin/sodium alginate/xanthan gum incorporated with raspberry pomace extract for monitoring protein-rich food freshness.

Raspberry pomace extracts (RPE) with different concentrations (0.5 g/L, 1.5 g/L and 3 g/L) were incorporated into pectin/sodium alginate/xanthan gum composite film (PAX) to prepare colorimetric raspberry films (PAXR5, PAXR15 and PAXR30). Fourier Transform Infrared and Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis showed RPE had good compatibility with PAX. Compared to PAX, the raspberry films had lower water vapor permeability and water swelling ratio, higher tensile strength, opacity and antioxidant capacity. The films presented a smoother surface and denser structure than PAX. Furthermore, PAXR15 had an excellent discoloration at pH 1-13, especially at pH 5-10, the color changes of PAXR15 from pink-red-brown-blue-dark green distinguished by the naked eyes. Therefore, it has the potential to become a pH-sensitive film used in monitoring protein-rich food freshness.