The complete chloroplast genome and phylogenetic analysis of Paris stigmatosa (Melanthiaceae).

Paris stigmatosa is a new described species of Melanthiaceae. In this study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of P. stigmatosa was first reported and characterized. The cp genome is 165,623 bp in length and contains a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 34,165 bp) separated by a large (84,327 bp) and small (12,966 bp) single-copy regions. A total of 113 genes were predicted, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis suggested that P. stigmatosa is sister of the clade formed by P. marmorata and P. luquanensis.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of NDGA analogues as potential anti-ischemic stroke agents.

Exogenous supplementation of antioxidants with ROS scavenging activity would be a potential therapy to cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in stroke. In the present study, a series of NDGA analogues with attenuation oxidative stress by directly scavenging ROS and indirectly through keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway activation were designed and synthesized. All analogues were found to effectively remove ROS directly by DPPH radical scavenging assay, and compound 3a conferred potent protection from the oxidative injury in PC12 cells via promoting Nrf2 to translocate into nucleus and increasing expression of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), where strongly reduced intracellular ROS level indirectly. More importantly, 3a significantly reduced brain infarction after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Overall, our findings shown compound 3a could serve as a promising compound for the treatment of stroke.

Gender differences in positive life orientation among the nursing home elders in China: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Life orientation among the nursing home elders would differ from those of community-dwelling elders due to the different living environment, but may have greater differences in gender. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the positive life orientation and explore the potential risk factors including gender disparities among nursing home elders in China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Northeast China. Two steps cluster sampling procedure were chosen. Basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) systems were used to estimate the functional status. Positive life orientation was measured using the six-question life orientation scale (LOS). RESULTS: 2512 nursing home elders were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the participants was 73.14±6.746years. Of the 1308 men and 1204 women, 14.9% had a positive life orientation in women and 16.1% in men. Higher level of education, independent in BADL and IADL were related to positive life orientation both in men and women. Age and BMI were also found to be significantly associated with positive life orientation in men (OR=0.587, 1.132, respectively). For women, the influence of income and vision on positive life orientation was also significant (OR=1.967, 1.926, respectively). CONCLUSION: The positive life orientation was higher in men than women. The gender-specific differences contribute to take more effective measures to improve the positive life orientation.