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Aim of study: To explore the different patterns of fine-root traits by elucidating changes in their chemistries and morphologies in Chinese fir plantations along an altitudinal gradient. Area of study: National Mazongling Nature Reserve (Anhui Province). Material and methods: Soil and fine roots (≤ 2 mm) samples were extracted from three soil layers (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm) at four altitudes (750 m, 850 m, 1000 m, and 1150 m), after which their nutrient concentrations and morphological traits, respectively, were quantified. We employed mixed model ANOVA to test the effects of altitude, soil layer, and their interactions on the characteristics of soil and fine roots. The relationships between the functional traits of fine roots and climate, soil and stand structures were evaluated by the standard major axis regression and the structural equation model. Main results: The chemical traits of fine roots were higher at medium altitudes (which decreased significantly with the soil layer). In contrast the morphological traits of fine roots did not change significantly. In chemical traits, both altitude, organic matter components, and soil total phosphorus (TP) exerted dominant effects on fine-root N, and both altitude and soil TP exerted dominant effects on fine-root P. However, in morphological traits, we found that altitude and soil C:N were crucial impact factors. Research highlights: Fine roots might preferentially adjust their chemical traits rather than morphological traits to facilitate higher root efficiencies in response to variable environmental conditions.

Aiqin Li,1 Ifrah Nabi Khan,2 Ikram Ullah Khan,2 Abid Mehmood Yousaf,3 Yasser Shahzad3 1Department of Stomatology, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 3Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore, PakistanCorrespondence: Yasser ShahzadDepartment of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Lahore, PakistanEmail y.shahzad@live.comIkram Ullah KhanDepartment of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, PakistanEmail ikramglt@gmail.comBackground/Objective: Periodontitis is a widely spread oral infection and various antibiotics are utilized for its treatment, but high oral doses and development of antibiotic resistance limit their use. This study was aimed at development of natural polymer-based mucoadhesive bilayer films loaded with moxifloxacin hydrochloride (Mox) and clove essential oil (CEO) to potentially combat bacterial infection associated with periodontitis.Methods: Films were synthesized by double solvent casting technique having an antibiotic in the gellan gum-based primary layer with clove oil in a hydroxyethyl cellulose-based secondary layer.Results: Prepared films were transparent, flexible, and showed high antibacterial response against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The films showed excellent pharmaceutical attributes in terms of drug content, folding endurance, swelling index, and mucoadhesive strength. Solid state characterization of formulation showed successful incorporation of drug and oil in separate layers of hydrogel structure. An in-vitro release study showed an initial burst release of drug followed by sustained release for up to 48 hours.Conclusion: The prepared mucoadhesive bilayer buccal films could be used as a potential therapeutic option f

Weiyong Hong,1,2,* Fangyuan Guo,2,* Nan Yu,2 Sanjun Ying,2 Bang Lou,2 Jiangqing Wu,2 Ying Gao,2 Xugang Ji,2 Haiying Wang,1 Aiqin Li,3 Guoping Wang,4 Gensheng Yang2 1Department of Pharmacy, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, Taizhou, 318000, People’s Republic of China; 2College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People’s Republic of China; 3Zhejiang Share Bio-Pharm Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, 310019, People’s Republic of China; 4Zhejiang Dayang Biotech Group Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, 311616, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Gensheng YangCollege of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86571-88871077Fax +86571-88320913Email yanggs@zjut.edu.cnPurpose: A novel folate receptor-targeted β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) drug delivery vehicle was constructed to improve the bioavailability, biosafety, and drug loading capacity of curcumin. Controlled release and targeted delivery was achieved by modifying the nanoparticles with folic acid (FA).Methods: Folate-conjugated β-CD-polycaprolactone block copolymers were synthesized and characterized. Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles (FA-Cur-NPs) were structured by self-assembly. The physicochemical properties, stability, release behavior and tumor-targeting ability of the fabricated nanoparticles were studied.Results: The average particle size and drug loading of FA-Cur-NPs was 151.8 nm and 20.27%, respectively. Moreover, the FA-Cur-NPs exhibited good stability in vitro for 72 h. The drug release profiles showed that curcumin from FA-Cur-NPs was released significantly faster in a pH 6.4 phosphate buffered solution (PBS) than in pH 7.4, indicating that curcumin can be enriched around the tumor site compared with normal cells. Additionally, the internalization of FA-Cur-NPs was aided by FA receptor-mediated endocytosis, and its cytotoxicity was proportional to the