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Salt stress seriously affects C and N metabolism, and secondary metabolites, further have adverse effects on the growth and yield of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) plays a significant role in influencing C and N metabolism and improving the accumulation of secondary metabolites. However, the underlying mechanism of MeJA in alleviating salt stress in G. uralensis remains unknown. A pot experiment was employed to explore the responses of C and N, and secondary metabolisms to MeJA in G. uralensis seedling under salt stress. Salt significantly inhibited growth, affected activities of key enzymes involved in C and N metabolisms and decreased contents of carbohydrates and N-containing compounds, and secondary metabolites in G. uralensis, while the adverse effect was counteracted by MeJA. MeJA remarkably increased the diameter of main root and main stem, and the length of main root in the salt-stressed seedling. In addition, MeJA remarkably increased soluble sugar content and the sucrose synthase (SS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activities. Nitrate (NO3−) and nitrite (NO2−) contents, glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT) and nitrate reductase (NR) activities were also higher in seedlings that were treated with MeJA. Moreover, MeJA significantly increased licochalcone A, glycyrrhizic acid, total flavonoids and total polysaccharides contents. MeJA improves the capacity of osmotic adjustment by regulating C and N metabolism, further promote the synthesis of secondary metabolites in G. uralensis seedling; it also employed different metabolites against membrane lipid peroxidation, further to improve the plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to investigate whether sevoflurane has an anti-depressive effect and to elucidate its underlying mechanism. Unpredictable chronic mild stress (uCMS)–treated rats were used for inducing depressive-like behavior and subsequently treated with sevoflurane. A forced swimming test was conducted with the rats. An ELISA was performed to detect the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus of the rats. Differentially expressed genes in uCMS and normal rats were analyzed by microarray. qRT-PCR, western blot, and flow cytometry, and gain and loss of function measurements were carried out to determine the association between sevoflurane and the HMGB1/TLR4 pathway. A forced swimming test with uCMS rats exposed to sevoflurane demonstrated that a 2% sevoflurane treatment resulted in an anti-depressive effect. In addition, ELISAs of TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α), IL-1β (interleukin-1 beta), IL-6 (interleukin-6), and BDNF supported an effect of sevoflurane on inflammatory cytokines and a neurotrophic factor. HMGB1 was dramatically induced in uCMS rats, and the HMGB1/TLR4 pathway was implicated in sevoflurane exposure. A 2% sevoflurane treatment resulted in a restoration of HMGB1/TLR4 signaling and expression of cytokines and BDNF. HMGB1 overexpression partially prevented the protective effect of 2% SF, suggesting sevoflurane protects uCMS rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The presence of obesity poses a challenge for clinical and administrative staff in the peri-operative setting. Evidence indicates that obesity may increase peri-operative complications. However, data on resource utilization in patients undergoing total knee and hip arthroplasty remain rare. Using national data, we sought to determine whether increasing levels of patient obesity is associated with greater resource utilization. We hypothesized that patient care in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 is associated with longer operative and anaesthetic times, longer hospital stays, and greater readmission rates.Methods: We utilized national data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project and identified patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). Patients were divided into three groups according to their BMI (18.5 BMI < 30, 40 BMI < 45, and 45 BMI). The groups were compared regarding associated operating room utilization, length of stay, and readmission rates.Results: Our study showed that TKA and THA patients with higher BMI required significantly longer operation-related times and had higher total length of hospital stay. Higher BMI patients also carried higher odds of readmissions within 30 days in both TKA and THA groups.Conclusion: We conclude that BMI status needs to be considered for both medical and economic reasons by health care institutions and payers, in order to make prudent decisions in a world where health care expenses are rising rapidly alongside the increasing obesity epidemic, and resources are becoming increasingly scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare perioperative parameters, clinical outcomes, radiographic parameters, and complication rates of segmental anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (sACCF) plus preservation of middle vertebrae with those of cervical laminectomy plus fusion (CLF) in 67 patients with 4-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods: Between July 2006 and May 2012, 67 consecutive patients [42 males and 25 females; mean age 57.8 years (range 34-77 years)] with 4-level CSM who underwent surgery and were followed for more than 1 year were enrolled in this study and divided into sACCF and CLF groups. The study compared perioperative parameters; surgery-related and instrumentation- and graft-related complication rates; clinical parameters; patient satisfaction; and radiologic parameters. Results: Significant improvements were seen from preoperative to postoperative in both groups for all three measures of clinical outcome; between-group comparison revealed no significant difference for two of the three measures and significantly better scores for the CLF group in the third. Satisfaction was rated as excellent or good by 79.5 % of the sACCF group and 71.4 % of the CLF group, which was not a significant difference. Mean postoperative cervical lordosis was significantly greater in the sACCF group than in the CLF group. Blood loss and operative time were significantly greater in the CLF group than in the sACCF group and complication rate significantly lower for the sACCF group. Conclusions: sACCF with preservation of middle vertebrae is a safe, reliable, and effective alternative procedure for the treatment of 4-level CSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]