The complete chloroplast genome of Blechnopsis orientalis (Linnaeus) C. Presl 1753 (Blechnaceae).

Blechnopsis orientalis (Linnaeus) C. Presl (1753) is a fern used both as food and medicine. It is found primarily in southern China and Southeast Asia, thriving in warm, humid shrublands or sparse forest. The total length of the chloroplast genome is 155,211 bp, including a large single-copy region (LSC, 81,877 bp), a small single-copy region (SSC, 21,500 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 25,917 bp). The GC content is 41.3%. A total of 131 genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 35 tRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis using the maximum-likelihood method showed that B. orientalis and Oceaniopteris gibba were closely related. This study provides genomic resources for phylogenetic genetics and resource exploitation of B. orientalis.

The complete chloroplast genome of Leonurus sibiricus Linnaeus (Labiatae, Leonurus Miller).

Leonurus sibiricus Linnaeus 1753, an annual or biennial herb found in northern China, Mongolia, and Russia, typically grows in stony, sandy grasslands, and pine forests. This study sequenced and reported the complete chloroplast genome of L. sibiricus for the first time. The entire circular genome measures 151,689 bp in length, with a GC content of 38.4%. A total of 133 genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, and eight rRNAs. The genome exhibits a typical quadripartite structure, comprising a large single-copy (LSC 82,820 bp) region, a small single-copy (SSC 17,619 bp) region, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR 25,625 bp each) regions. Phylogenetic analysis using the maximum-likelihood method indicates that L. sibiricus is most closely related to L. japonicus Houttuyn. This study provides valuable genomic resources for further research on the phylogenetics and biodiversity of the genus Leonurus.

Exploring the diversity and potential functional characteristics of microbiota associated with different compartments of Schisandra chinensis.

Introduction: Symbiotic microbial have a significant impact on the growth and metabolism of medicinal plants. Schisandra chinensis is a very functionally rich medicinal herb; however, its microbial composition and diversity have been poorly studied. Methods: In the present study, the core microbiomes associated with the rhizospheric soil, roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of S. chinensis from six geographic locations were analyzed by a macro-genomics approach. Results: Alpha and beta diversity analyses showed that the diversity of microbial composition of S. chinensis fruits did not differ significantly among the geographic locations as compared to that in different plant compartments. Principal coordinate analysis showed that the microbial communities of S. chinensis fruits from the different ecological locations were both similar and independent. In all S. chinensis samples, Proteobacteria was the most dominant bacterial phylum, and Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the most dominant fungal phyla. Nitrospira, Bradyrhizobium, Sphingomonas, and Pseudomonas were the marker bacterial populations in rhizospheric soils, roots, stems and leaves, and fruits, respectively, and Penicillium, Golubevia, and Cladosporium were the marker fungal populations in the rhizospheric soil and roots, stems and leaves, and fruits, respectively. Functional analyses showed a high abundance of the microbiota mainly in biosynthesis. Discussion: The present study determined the fungal structure of the symbiotic microbiome of S. chinensis, which is crucial for improving the yield and quality of S. chinensis.

Electroacupuncture for the Prevention of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction Among Older Adults Undergoing Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common surgical complication in elderly patients undergoing hip and knee replacement. Electroacupuncture (EA) may have a protective effect on postoperative cognitive function, but relevant evidence remains uncertain. Objective: To systematically evaluate the evidence of EA for the prevention of POCD after total joint arthroplasty. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) databases were searched until May 1, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which patients undergoing hip and knee replacement pretreated with EA for preventing POCD were included. The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.4. Results: A total of 11 RCTs with 949 patients were identified. Meta-analysis showed that compared with controls, EA pretreatment significantly reduced the incidence of POCD at 1, 3, and 7 days and 3 and 6 months after the operation. EA was also superior in improving the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores on the third postoperative day, but not on the first postoperative day. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in the EA group were significantly lower than that in the control group. There was no difference in S100ß between the EA group and the control group. Compared to the control group, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were not significantly lower in the EA group at postoperative hour 0, while significantly decreased at postoperative hours 24 and 48. Conclusion: Our results suggest that EA pretreatment is an effective adjunctive therapy for reducing the incidence of POCD for patients receiving total joint replacement surgery. Its effect was embodied in improving the MMSE scores and NSE, IL-1ß, and TNF-α levels, whereas it had no significant effect on S100ß levels. Meanwhile, the benefits of EA for improving POCD need further strengthening and support from more large-scale, high-quality, and good-homogeneity RCTs. Systematic Review Registration: https://osf.io/xb3e8.

Synthesis of C-Ring-Substituted Vasicinones and Luotonins via Regioselective Aza-Nazarov Cyclization of Quinazolinonyl Enones.

A facile synthesis of C-ring substituted luotonins and vasicinones has been realized via a super-acid-mediated aza-Nazarov cyclization of quinazolinonyl enones. The regioselectivity of the cyclization is highly dependent on proton availability in the reaction medium.

Facile synthesis of 3-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines through formimidamide chemistry.

A facile entry to 3-aryl/alkenyl/alkynyl substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines (3a-p, 6a-d & 9a-9e) has been developed from readily available benzyl/allyl/propargyl halides and 2-amino pyridines as substrates via formimidamide chemistry that is devoid of caustic or expensive reagents, such as transition metal complexes. Quantum chemical calculations performed to understand the underlying mechanism of the transformation revealed a preference for intramolecular Mannich-type addition over pericyclic 1,5-electrocyclization for the systems reported herein that enable a Baldwin allowed 5-exo-trig cyclization instead of a formally anti-Baldwin 5-endo-trig process.