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Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the intestine, demonstrating an increasing incidence every year. TongXieYaoFang (TXYF) has been used widely in China as a complementary therapy to relieve the symptoms of IBD for hundreds of years. In the present research, a network pharmacology-based approach was used to systematically explore the intrinsic mechanisms of TXYF in IBD at the molecular level. Network pharmacology-based methods, which mainly included database mining, screening of bioactive compounds, target prediction, collection of IBD-related targets, gene enrichment analysis, network construction, and molecular docking, were employed in the present study. Network analysis revealed a total of 108 potential targets derived from 22 component compounds of TXYF, among which 34 targets were common with the IBD-related targets. In the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, 10 key targets were identified. The gene enrichment analysis suggested that anti-inflammatory processes, such as NF-kappa B signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, could be the core processes involved in the action of TXYF in IBD. Molecular docking results revealed that three compounds present in TXYF exhibited strong binding affinity for PTGS2. The present study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms and network approaches of TXYF action in IBD from a systemic perspective. The potential targets and pathways identified in the present study would assist in further research on the clinical application of TXYF in IBD therapy.

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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of gallstone-related disease steadily increased in the last few years. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of tauroursodeoxycholic acid1 (TUDCA) on preventing cholesterol gallstones formation in high-fat fed (HFD) mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Specific pathogen-free male C57Bl/6 mice were fed a lithogenic diet2 (LD group) alone or in combination with TUDCA (5g/kg diet) for 8 weeks. Upon sacrifice, serum, gallbladder, liver and small intestine were collected and the formation of gallstones or crystals in the gallbladder was analyzed. Additionally, the intestinal microbiota, and bile acid composition, serum lipids and hepatic lipids were studied. RESULTS: Cholesterol gallstones with cholesterol crystals formed in mice of the LD-fed group (15/15, 100%). However, only cholesterol crystals were found in three mice without the presence of any gallstone in the TUDCA-treated group. Both serum and hepatic total cholesterol levels in the TUDCA group were significantly decreased compared with the LD group. Concomitantly, mRNA expression of Abcg5 and Abcg8 was significantly lower in the liver of the TUDCA group whilst mRNA transcripts for Abcb11, Acat2, and Cyp27 were significantly increased compared with the LD group. Additionally, the gallbladder cholesterol saturation index (1.06±0.15) in the TUDCA group was significantly decreased compared with the LD group. Interestingly, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroides in the TUDCA group was increased 3x fold. CONCLUSIONS: TUDCA can inhibit the absorption and synthesis of lipids in the small intestine by improving the intestinal microbiota in HFD-fed mice, thus reducing gallstone formation.

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BACKGROUND: Inflorescence architecture is denoted by the spatial arrangement of various lateral branches and florets formed on them, which is shaped by a complex of regulators. Unveiling of the regulatory mechanisms underlying inflorescence architecture is pivotal for improving crop yield potential. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd), a pseudo cereal originated from Andean region of South America, has been widely recognized as a functional super food due to its excellent nutritional elements. Increasing worldwide consumption of this crop urgently calls for its yield improvement. However, dissection of the regulatory networks underlying quinoa inflorescence patterning is lacking. RESULTS: In this study, we performed RNA-seq analysis on quinoa inflorescence samples collected from six developmental stages, yielding a total of 138.8 GB data. We screened 21,610 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among all the stages through comparative analysis. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was performed to categorize the DEGs into ten different modules. Subsequently, we placed emphasis on investigating the modules associated with none branched and branched inflorescence samples. We manually refined the coexpression networks with stringent edge weight cutoffs, and generated core networks using transcription factors and key inflorescence architecture related genes as seed nodes. The core networks were visualized and analyzed by Cytoscape to obtain hub genes in each network. Our finding indicates that the specific occurrence of B3, TALE, WOX, LSH, LFY, GRAS, bHLH, EIL, DOF, G2-like and YABBY family members in early reproductive stage modules, and of TFL, ERF, bZIP, HD-ZIP, C2H2, LBD, NAC, C3H, Nin-like and FAR1 family members in late reproductive stage modules, as well as the several different MADS subfamily members identified in both stages may account for shaping quinoa inflorescence architecture. CONCLUSION: In this study we carried out comparative transcriptome analysis of six different stages quinoa inflorescences, and using WGCNA we obtained the most highly potential central hubs for shaping inflorescence. The data obtained from this study will enhance our understanding of the gene network regulating quinoa inflorescence architecture, as well will supply with valuable genetic resources for high-yield elite breeding in the future.

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BACKGROUND: Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is an important staple food crop in southwest China, where drought stress is one of the largest limiting factors that lead to decreased crop production. To reveal the molecular mechanism of common buckwheat in response to drought stress, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomics study to evaluate gene expression profiles of common buckwheat during PEG-mediated drought treatment. RESULTS: In total, 45 million clean reads were assembled into 53,404 unigenes with an average length of 749 bp and N50 length of 1296 bp. A total of 1329 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparing wellwatered and drought-treated plants, out of which 666 were upregulated and 663 were downregulated. Furthermore, we defined the functional characteristics of DEGs using GO and KEGG classifications. GO enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were significantly overrepresented in four categories, namely, "oxidoreductase activity," "oxidation­reduction process," "xyloglucan:xyloglucosyl transferase activity," and "apoplast." Using KEGG pathway analysis, a large number of annotated genes were overrepresented in terms such as "plant hormone signal transduction," "phenylpropanoid biosynthesis," "photosynthesis," and "carbon metabolism." Conclusions: These results can be further exploited to investigate the molecular mechanism of common buckwheat in response to drought treatment and could supply with valuable molecular sources for abiotic-tolerant elite breeding programs in the future.

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Abstract The naturally occurring wild barley mutant eibi1/hvabcg31 suffers from severe water loss due to the permeable leaf cuticle. Eibi1/HvABCG31 encodes a full ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, HvABCG31, playing a role in cutin deposition in the elongation zone of growing barley leaves. The eibi1 allele has pleiotropic effects on the appearance of leaves, plant stature, fertility, spike and grain size, and rate of germination. Comparative transcriptome profile of the leaf elongation zone of the eibi1 mutant as well as its isogenic wild type showed that various pathogenesis-related genes were up-regulated in the eibi1 mutant. The known cuticle-related genes that we analyzed did not show significant expression difference between the mutant and wild type. These results suggest that the pleiotropic effects may be a compensatory consequence of the activation of defense genes in the eibi1 mutation. Furthermore, we were able to find the mutation of the eibi1/hvabcg31 allele by comparing transcript sequences, which indicated that the RNA-Seq is useful not only for researches on general molecular mechanism but also for the identification of possible mutant genes.

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The naturally occurring wild barley mutant eibi1/hvabcg31 suffers from severe water loss due to the permeable leaf cuticle. Eibi1/HvABCG31 encodes a full ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, HvABCG31, playing a role in cutin deposition in the elongation zone of growing barley leaves. The eibi1 allele has pleiotropic effects on the appearance of leaves, plant stature, fertility, spike and grain size, and rate of germination. Comparative transcriptome profile of the leaf elongation zone of the eibi1 mutant as well as its isogenic wild type showed that various pathogenesis-related genes were up-regulated in the eibi1 mutant. The known cuticle-related genes that we analyzed did not show significant expression difference between the mutant and wild type. These results suggest that the pleiotropic effects may be a compensatory consequence of the activation of defense genes in the eibi1 mutation. Furthermore, we were able to find the mutation of the eibi1/hvabcg31 allele by comparing transcript sequences, which indicated that the RNA-Seq is useful not only for researches on general molecular mechanism but also for the identification of possible mutant genes.

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Abernethy malformation is a rare anomaly with partial or complete congenital absence of the portal vein and subsequent development of extrahepatic portocaval shunts. We present the case of a 28-year-old woman who was incidentally diagnosed with type II Abernethy malformation and multiple aneurysms during an investigation for nonspecific abdominal pain and fever. The patient had been diagnosed with Caroli's disease at the age of 10 and liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension a few years before. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported with all such congenital anomalies associated together. Ultrasound, computed tomography, including three-dimensional reconstruction, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed which revealed a side-to-side shunt between the extrahepatic portal vein and the inferior vena cava, multiple aneurismal cystic dilation of the spleen artery and left renal artery, and extensive intrahepatic bile duct cysitic dilation with calculus formation. Etiology, clinical significance and management strategies with regard to these abnormalities are discussed.

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PURPOSE: To study the effects of percutaneous reconstruction plate internal fixation in the treatment of unstable sacral fractures. METHODS: Percutaneous reconstruction plate internal fixation was applied on 21 cases of unstable sacral fracture (15 males and six females, at age range of 16-65 years, mean 38.3 years) including four cases of Denis Zone I, 14 cases of Zone II and three cases of Zone III. In operation, an arc incision (about 3-5 cm long) was made along the iliac crest on the outside border of posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) on both sides, and then the plate was transported from the wounded side to the opposite one through the subcutaneous tunnel. RESULTS: The mean incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss was 4.3 cm, 45.2 min, and 160.8 ml respectively. All these patients were followed up for 12-33 months (average 16.3 months), which showed no incision infection, intraoperative neurovascular injury, internal fixation loose or breakage, disunion, or obvious lower limb length inequality. The function result was rated as excellent in six cases, good in 12 and fair in 3, with excellence rate of 85.7%, according to the Majeed scoring system. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous reconstruction plate internal fixation is an ideal surgical approach to unstable sacral fractures, as it is easy, safe, causing less trauma and fewer complications, and conducive to quicker recovery.

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PURPOSE: To study the effects of percutaneous reconstruction plate internal fixation in the treatment of unstable sacral fractures. METHODS: Percutaneous reconstruction plate internal fixation was applied on 21 cases of unstable sacral fracture (15 males and six females, at age range of 16-65 years, mean 38.3 years) including four cases of Denis Zone I, 14 cases of Zone II and three cases of Zone III. In operation, an arc incision (about 3-5 cm long) was made along the iliac crest on the outside border of posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) on both sides, and then the plate was transported from the wounded side to the opposite one through the subcutaneous tunnel. RESULTS: The mean incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss was 4.3cm, 45.2min, and 160.8ml respectively. All these patients were followed up for 12-33 months (average 16.3 months), which showed no incision infection, intraoperative neurovascular injury, internal fixation loose or breakage, disunion, or obvious lower limb length inequality. The function result was rated as excellent in six cases, good in 12 and fair in 3, with excellence rate of 85.7%, according to the Majeed scoring system. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous reconstruction plate internal fixation is an ideal surgical approach to unstable sacral fractures, as it is easy, safe, causing less trauma and fewer complications, and conducive to quicker recovery.

OBJETIVO: Estudar os efeitos da reconstrução percutânea com fixação de placa interna no tratamento de fraturas sacrais instáveis. MÉTODOS: A reconstrução percutânea com fixação de placa interna foi aplicada em 21 casos de fratura sacral instável (15 homens e seis mulheres, com idade variando entre 16 e 65 anos, média de 38,3 anos) incluindo quatro casos de Zona I de Denis, 14 casos de Zona II e três casos de Zona III. No ato operatório, uma incisão arqueada (cerca de 3 a 5cm de comprimento) foi feita ao longo da crista ilíaca na borda externa da espinha ilíaca supero-posterior (PSIS) em ambos os lados, e então a placa foi transportada do lado da ferida para o lado oposto através do túnel subcutâneo. RESULTADOS: O comprimento médio da incisão, tempo operatório e perda sanguínea intra-operatória foram, respectivamente, 4,3cm, 45,2min e 160,8ml. Todos estes pacientes foram acompanhados por 12 a 33 meses (média 16,3 meses), o que mostrou nenhuma infecção de ferida operatória, lesão neurovascular intraoperatória, perda da fixação interna ou quebra, desunião ou desigualdade nos comprimentos dos membros inferiores. O resultado funcional foi excelente em seis casos, bom em doze e falho em três, com taxa excelente de 85,7%, de acordo com o sistema de escore de Majeed. CONCLUSÃO: Reconstrução percutânea com fixação de placa interna é uma abordagem cirúrgica ideal para fraturas sacrais instáveis, sendo fácil e segura, causando menos trauma e poucas complicações, conduzindo a uma recuperação mais rápida.

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PURPOSE: To study the effects of percutaneous reconstruction plate internal fixation in the treatment of unstable sacral fractures. METHODS: Percutaneous reconstruction plate internal fixation was applied on 21 cases of unstable sacral fracture (15 males and six females, at age range of 16-65 years, mean 38.3 years) including four cases of Denis Zone I, 14 cases of Zone II and three cases of Zone III. In operation, an arc incision (about 3-5 cm long) was made along the iliac crest on the outside border of posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) on both sides, and then the plate was transported from the wounded side to the opposite one through the subcutaneous tunnel. RESULTS: The mean incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss was 4.3cm, 45.2min, and 160.8ml respectively. All these patients were followed up for 12-33 months (average 16.3 months), which showed no incision infection, intraoperative neurovascular injury, internal fixation loose or breakage, disunion, or obvious lower limb length inequality. The function result was rated as excellent in six cases, good in 12 and fair in 3, with excellence rate of 85.7%, according to the Majeed scoring system. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous reconstruction plate internal fixation is an ideal surgical approach to unstable sacral fractures, as it is easy, safe, causing less trauma and fewer complications, and conducive to quicker recovery.(AU)

OBJETIVO: Estudar os efeitos da reconstrução percutânea com fixação de placa interna no tratamento de fraturas sacrais instáveis. MÉTODOS: A reconstrução percutânea com fixação de placa interna foi aplicada em 21 casos de fratura sacral instável (15 homens e seis mulheres, com idade variando entre 16 e 65 anos, média de 38,3 anos) incluindo quatro casos de Zona I de Denis, 14 casos de Zona II e três casos de Zona III. No ato operatório, uma incisão arqueada (cerca de 3 a 5cm de comprimento) foi feita ao longo da crista ilíaca na borda externa da espinha ilíaca supero-posterior (PSIS) em ambos os lados, e então a placa foi transportada do lado da ferida para o lado oposto através do túnel subcutâneo. RESULTADOS: O comprimento médio da incisão, tempo operatório e perda sanguínea intra-operatória foram, respectivamente, 4,3cm, 45,2min e 160,8ml. Todos estes pacientes foram acompanhados por 12 a 33 meses (média 16,3 meses), o que mostrou nenhuma infecção de ferida operatória, lesão neurovascular intraoperatória, perda da fixação interna ou quebra, desunião ou desigualdade nos comprimentos dos membros inferiores. O resultado funcional foi excelente em seis casos, bom em doze e falho em três, com taxa excelente de 85,7%, de acordo com o sistema de escore de Majeed. CONCLUSÃO: Reconstrução percutânea com fixação de placa interna é uma abordagem cirúrgica ideal para fraturas sacrais instáveis, sendo fácil e segura, causando menos trauma e poucas complicações, conduzindo a uma recuperação mais rápida.(AU)

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