Effectiveness and safety of Xingbei Zhike granules in patients with postinfectious cough: A multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Postinfectious cough (PIC) is a common symptom following a respiratory tract infection. Xingbei Zhike (XBZK) granules, a Chinese patent medicine, has been widely used for PIC in clinics. However, there is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness. PURPOSE: To investigate whether treatment with XBZK granules is effective for PIC. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Eligible participants from fourteen hospitals were randomly assigned in 3:1 ratio to receive either XBZK granules or placebo for 14 days. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of a visual analogue scale (VAS) for cough symptoms. Secondary outcomes included cough symptom score (CSS), time and probability of recovery from cough, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, relief rates of individual symptoms, Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) score, and the use of reliever drug. RESULTS: A total of 235 patients (176 in XBZK and 59 in placebo groups) were included in the analysis. The AUC for cough VAS scores was lower in the XBZK than placebo group (-8.10, 95 % CI -14.12 to -2.07, p = 0.009), indicating superiority. XBZK decreased CSS (-0.68 points, 95 % CI -1.13 to -0.22, p = 0.01), shortened time to cough recovery (-2 days, hazard ratio [HR] 1.48, 95 % CI 1.03 to 2.13, p = 0.02), enhanced the probability of cough recovery (risk ratio [RR] 1.66, 95 % CI 1.07 to 2.58, p = 0.03), lowered TCM syndrome score (-0.99 points, 95 % CI -1.58 to -0.40, p = 0.004), increased the rate of daytime (RR 1.84, 95 % CI 1.07 to 3.15, p = 0.02) and nighttime (RR 2.07, 95 % CI 1.29 to 3.35, p = 0.004) cough recovery, and reduced the viscosity of sputum (RR 2.92, 95 % CI 1.66 to 5.13, p < 0.001) compared to placebo. There were no significant differences in LCQ scores and taking reliever drugs between groups. No severe adverse events were reported in either group. CONCLUSIONS: XBZK granules are a promising therapy against PIC, effective in lowering the overall severity of cough, shortening the time to cough recovery, and reducing the viscosity of sputum.

Neurofeedback for obsessive compulsive disorder: A randomized, double-blind trial.

We aim to develop fMRI neurofeedback as a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In prior work, we found that providing neurofeedback of activity in the anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC) improved control over contamination anxiety in a subclinical population. Here, we present the results of a randomized, double-blind clinical trial (NCT02206945) testing this intervention in patients with OCD. We recruited patients with primary symptoms in the fear-of-harm/checking or contamination/washing domains. During neurofeedback, they viewed symptom provocative images and attempted to up- and down-regulate the aPFC during different blocks of time. The active group received two sessions of neurofeedback and the control group received yoked sham feedback. The primary outcome measure was the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom scale. The secondary outcome was control over aPFC. Thirty-six participants completed feedback training (18 active, 18 control). The active group had a slightly but significantly greater reduction of obsessive-compulsive symptoms after neurofeedback compared to the control group (p<.05) but no significant differences in control over the aPFC. These data demonstrate that neurofeedback targeting the aPFC can reduce symptoms in OCD. Future investigations should seek to optimize the training protocol to yield larger effects and to clarify the mechanism of action.

Amygdala downregulation training using fMRI neurofeedback in post-traumatic stress disorder: a randomized, double-blind trial.

Hyperactivation of amygdala is a neural marker for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and improvement in control over amygdala activity has been associated with treatment success in PTSD. In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial we evaluated the efficacy of a real-time fMRI neurofeedback intervention designed to train control over amygdala activity following trauma recall. Twenty-five patients with PTSD completed three sessions of neurofeedback training in which they attempted to downregulate the feedback signal after exposure to personalized trauma scripts. For subjects in the active experimental group (N = 14), the feedback signal was from a functionally localized region of their amygdala associated with trauma recall. For subjects in the control group (N = 11), yoked-sham feedback was provided. Changes in control over the amygdala and PTSD symptoms served as the primary and secondary outcome measurements, respectively. We found significantly greater improvements in control over amygdala activity in the active group than in the control group 30-days following the intervention. Both groups showed improvements in symptom scores, however the symptom reduction in the active group was not significantly greater than in the control group. Our finding of greater improvement in amygdala control suggests potential clinical application of neurofeedback in PTSD treatment. Thus, further development of amygdala neurofeedback training in PTSD treatment, including evaluation in larger samples, is warranted.

Effects of non-drug interventions on anxiety and depression in patients with heart failure: A systematic review based on Bayesian network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To discuss the effect of non-drug interventions on anxiety and depression in patients with heart failure (HF) through Bayesian network meta-analysis. METHODS: Relevant literature was searched from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Medline from database establishment to October 2022 by a computer. Next, a screening was performed on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the effect of non-drug interventions on anxiety and depression in HF patients, followed by a collection of the related data. This meta-analysis was conducted based on Bayesian network, and the statistical analysis was conducted using R4.2 software. RESULTS: A total of 23 papers were enrolled into this study. The results of Bayesian network meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group and the structured video conferencing support (SVCS) group, telephone case management (TCM) could effectively reduce the anxiety and depression of HF patients. The ranking results revealed that TCM may be the most effective intervention to lower the risk of depression in HF patients, followed by Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung training (TCC) and structured telephone support (STS). CONCLUSION: TCM is the most effective intervention to prevent HF patients from anxiety and depression.

Putamen volume predicts real-time fMRI neurofeedback learning success across paradigms and neurofeedback target regions.

Real-time fMRI guided neurofeedback training has gained increasing interest as a noninvasive brain regulation technique with the potential to modulate functional brain alterations in therapeutic contexts. Individual variations in learning success and treatment response have been observed, yet the neural substrates underlying the learning of self-regulation remain unclear. Against this background, we explored potential brain structural predictors for learning success with pooled data from three real-time fMRI data sets. Our analysis revealed that gray matter volume of the right putamen could predict neurofeedback learning success across the three data sets (n = 66 in total). Importantly, the original studies employed different neurofeedback paradigms during which different brain regions were trained pointing to a general association with learning success independent of specific aspects of the experimental design. Given the role of the putamen in associative learning this finding may reflect an important role of instrumental learning processes and brain structural variations in associated brain regions for successful acquisition of fMRI neurofeedback-guided self-regulation.

Increased antitumor efficacy of ginsenoside Rh2 via mixed micelles: in vivo and in vitro evaluation.

The aim of this work is to apply Solutol® HS15 and TPGS to prepare self-assembled micelles loading with ginsenoside Rh2 to increase the solubility of ginsenoside Rh2, hence, improving the antitumor efficacy. Ginsenoside Rh2-mixed micelles (Rh2-M) were prepared by thin film dispersion method. The optimal Rh2-M was characterized by particle size, morphology, and drug encapsulation efficiency. The enhancement of in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of Rh2-M was evaluated by nude mice bearing tumor model. The solubility of Rh2 in self-assembled micelles was increased approximately 150-folds compared to free Rh2. In vitro results demonstrated that the particle size of Rh2-M is 74.72 ± 2.63 nm(PDI = 0.147 ± 0.15), and the morphology of Rh2-M is spherical or spheroid, and the EE% and LE% are 95.27 ± 1.26% and 7.68 ± 1.34%, respectively. The results of in vitro cell uptake and in vivo imaging showed that Rh2-M could not only increase the cell uptake of drugs, but also transport drug to tumor sites, prolonging the retention time. In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor results showed that the anti-tumor effect of Rh2 can be effectively improved by Rh2-M. Therefore, Solutol® HS15 and TPGS could be used to entrapping Rh2 into micelles, enhancing solubility and antitumor efficacy.

Actinidia Chinensis Planch Root extract attenuates proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting the DLX2/TARBP2/JNK/AKT pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Many studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese herbs exert potential anti-tumor effects. Actinidia Chinensis Planch root has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. However, the mechanism of anti-tumor effects of Actinidia Chinensis Planch root has not been clearly clarified. AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore the molecular biological mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of Actinidia Chinensis Planch root extract (acRoots) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our previous study, we used mRNA chip analyses to identify genes regulated by acRoots. Further analyses of altered genes led to the identification of a key regulator of genes that responds to acRoots. We explored the effects of acRoots on the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells via cell counting as well as transwell assays, and further explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of acRoots on HCC cells using qRT-PCR, western blot, and Chip-PCR. RESULTS: Increasing the concentration of acRoots as well as prolonging its action time enhanced the inhibitory activity of acRoots as well as its cytotoxicity against HCC cells. High TARBP2 expression in HCC cells, which is associated with advanced-stage HCC and poor prognoses in HCC patients, was downregulated by treatment with acRoots. Furthermore, acRoots inhibited proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by downregulating TARBP2 expression. HCC cells with higher TARBP2 expression were more sensitive to acRoots. The expression of TARBP2 and DLX2 in HCC patients and HCC cell lines was significantly positively correlated, and DLX2 as a transcription factor may promote TARBP2 expression, thereby further activating the JNK/AKT signaling pathway leading to the inhibition of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: acRoots inhibited the malignant behavior of HCC cells by inhibiting TARBP2 expression, which is affected by the transcription factor DLX2, leading to a reduction in JNK/AKT signaling pathway activation.

Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Real-Time Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Neurofeedback for Tics in Adolescents With Tourette Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Activity in the supplementary motor area (SMA) has been associated with tics in Tourette syndrome (TS). The aim of this study was to test a novel intervention-real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback from the SMA-for reduction of tics in adolescents with TS. METHODS: Twenty-one adolescents with TS were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, crossover study involving two sessions of neurofeedback from their SMA. The primary outcome measure of tic severity was the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale administered by an independent evaluator before and after each arm. The secondary outcome was control over the SMA assessed in neuroimaging scans, in which subjects were cued to increase/decrease activity in SMA without receiving feedback. RESULTS: All 21 subjects completed both arms of the study and all assessments. Participants had significantly greater reduction of tics on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale after real neurofeedback as compared with the sham control (p < .05). Mean Yale Global Tic Severity Scale Total Tic score decreased from 25.2 ± 4.6 at baseline to 19.9 ± 5.7 at end point in the neurofeedback condition and from 24.8 ± 8.1 to 23.3 ± 8.5 in the sham control condition. The 3.8-point difference is clinically meaningful and corresponds to an effect size of 0.59. However, there were no differences in changes on the secondary measure of control over the SMA. CONCLUSIONS: This first randomized controlled trial of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback in adolescents with TS suggests that this neurofeedback intervention may be helpful for improving tic symptoms. However, no effects were found in terms of change in control over the SMA, the hypothesized mechanism of action.

The protective underlying mechanisms of Schisandrin on SH-SY5Y cell model of Alzheimer's disease.

The extract of Schisandrin a traditional Chinese medicine was postulated to be effective in prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to examine the underlying protective actions of Schizandrin using a human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y). In particular Schizandrin-mediated effects on expression of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3ß, protein kinase B (Akt) and Tau protein, known to be altered in AD were determined. In preliminary assays, various concentrations of Schisandrin were incubated SH-SY5Y cells to establish effects on cell viability and potential toxicity in further experimentation. Amyloid-ß (Aß1-42) peptide 10 µmol/L was used to induce in vitro AD model in SH-SY5Y. Exposure to Aß1-42 significantly reduced cell viability. Treatment with Schisandrin to Aß1-42 exposed cells increased cell viability compared to amyloid peptide; however only the 10 µmol/L Schisandrin concentration was effective in restoring cell viability to control. Western blot analysis demonstrated that Aß1-42 produced a significant decrease in p-Akt protein expression levels accompanied by marked elevation in p-tau and p-GSK-3ß protein expression levels. Addition of 10 µmol/L Schisandrin to amyloid-treated SH-SY5Y cells was found to significantly increase protein expression levels of p-Akt associated with reduction in expression levels of p-tau and p-GSK-3ß protein. Treatment with 10 µmol/L Schisandrin of SH-SY5Y cells with the p-Akt inhibitor LY294002 demonstrated that the herbal-induced rise in p-Akt protein expression was diminished by this inhibitor indicating that signal transduction occurred in the observed cellular effects. Evidence indicates that Schisandrin inhibition of Aß1-42 -mediated cellular damage in AD neurons may involve activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway where up-regulation of p-Akt activity consequently leads downstream to decreased activity of p-GSK-3ß phosphorylation accompanied by reduced tau protein. Consequently, restoration of neuronal cell viability was noted. Our findings suggest that the use of Schisandrin may be considered beneficial as a therapeutic agent in AD.

BZR1 Family Transcription Factors Function Redundantly and Indispensably in BR Signaling but Exhibit BRI1-Independent Function in Regulating Anther Development in Arabidopsis.

BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT 1 family proteins (BZRs) are central transcription factors that govern brassinosteroid (BR)-regulated gene expression and plant growth. However, it is unclear whether there exists a BZR-independent pathway that mediates BR signaling. In this study, we found that disruption of all BZRs in Arabidopsis generated a hextuple mutant (bzr-h) displaying vegetative growth phenotypes that were almost identical to those of the null mutant of three BR receptors, bri1brl1brl3 (bri-t). By RNA sequencing, we found that global gene expression in bzr-h was unaffected by 2 h of BR treatment. The anthers of bzr-h plants were loculeless, but a similar phenotype was not observed in bri-t, suggesting that BZRs have a BR signaling-independent regulatory role in anther development. By real-time PCR and in situ hybridization, we found that the expression of SPOROCYTELESS (SPL), which encodes a transcription factor essential for anther locule development, was barely detectable in bzr-h, suggesting that BZRs regulate locule development by affecting SPL expression. Our findings reveal that BZRs are indispensable transcription factors required for both BR signaling and anther locule development, providing new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the microsporogenesis in Arabidopsis.

Enhanced oral delivery and anti-gastroesophageal reflux activity of curcumin by binary mixed micelles.

The aim of this study was to improve the solubility, oral bioavailability, and anti-gastroesophageal reflux activity of curcumin (CM) by preparing two CM-loaded, novel, binary mixed micelles (CM-M). The two CM-M were prepared by ethanol thin-film hydration method. One (CM-T) was prepared using D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate and Solutol®HS15, and the other (CM-F) was prepared using Pluronic®F127 and Solutol®HS15. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading of CM-T were 83.61 ± 0.54% and 2.20 ± 0.65%, respectively, which were lower than those of CM-F (88.66 ± 0.12% and 1.47 ± 0.26%, respectively). TEM results demonstrated that CM-T and CM-F were homogeneous and spherical. The permeability of CM delivered via CM-T and CM-F was enhanced across a Caco-2 cell monolayer, and CM-T and CM-F showed a 5.24- and 4.76-fold increase in relative oral bioavailability, respectively compared with free CM. In addition, the in vivo anti-gastroesophageal reflux study showed that CM-T and CM-F achieved higher anti-gastroesophageal reflux efficacy compared with free CM. Collectively, these findings were indicative of an oral micelle formulation of CM with increased solubility, oral bioavailability, and anti-gastroesophageal reflux activity.

Real-Time Functional Connectivity-Informed Neurofeedback of Amygdala-Frontal Pathways Reduces Anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Deficient emotion regulation and exaggerated anxiety represent a major transdiagnostic psychopathological marker. On the neural level these deficits have been closely linked to impaired, yet treatment-sensitive, prefrontal regulatory control over the amygdala. Gaining direct control over these pathways could therefore provide an innovative and promising intervention to regulate exaggerated anxiety. To this end the current proof-of-concept study evaluated the feasibility, functional relevance and maintenance of a novel connectivity-informed real-time fMRI neurofeedback training. METHODS: In a randomized crossover sham-controlled design, 26 healthy subjects with high anxiety underwent real-time fMRI-guided neurofeedback training to enhance connectivity between the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) and the amygdala (target pathway) during threat exposure. Maintenance of regulatory control was assessed after 3 days and in the absence of feedback. Training-induced changes in functional connectivity of the target pathway and anxiety ratings served as primary outcomes. RESULTS: Training of the target, yet not the sham control, pathway significantly increased amygdala-vlPFC connectivity and decreased levels of anxiety. Stronger connectivity increases were significantly associated with higher anxiety reduction on the group level. At the follow-up, volitional control over the target pathway was maintained in the absence of feedback. CONCLUSIONS: The present results demonstrate for the first time that successful self-regulation of amygdala-prefrontal top-down regulatory circuits may represent a novel intervention to control anxiety. As such, the present findings underscore both the critical contribution of amygdala-prefrontal circuits to emotion regulation and the therapeutic potential of connectivity-informed real-time neurofeedback.

Actinidia chinensis Planch root extract attenuates proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Numerous studies have demonstrated the potent anticancer activity of various Chinese herbs. Actinidia chinensis Planch root (acRoots), a traditional Chinese medicine, functions as an antitumor and detoxifying agent and plays a role in diuresis and hemostasis. Treatment with acRoots confers strong inhibition of tumor growth in various forms of cancer. Here, we evaluated the anticancer activity and molecular mechanisms of Actinidia chinensis Planch root extract (acRoots) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our previous study used mRNA chip analyses to identify the genes regulated by acRoots. Further analyses of the altered genes identified a key regulator of genes in response to acRoots. Here, the effects of acRoots on HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were evaluated by cell counting, Transwell and apoptosis assays. In addition, the in vivo anti-HCC effects of acRoots were investigated using an HCC animal model. The expression of a key regulator of genes in response to acRoots was analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment with acRoots (10 mg/mL) had no cytotoxicity in L02 cells and had a positive effect on L02 cell viability; however, it significantly inhibited HCC cell proliferation. Treatment with acRoots downregulated DLX2 gene expression in HCC cells, and high DLX2 expression was associated with advanced stage and poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Treatment with acRoots inhibited proliferation, invasion and migration, clonality, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and promoted the apoptosis of HCC cells by downregulating DLX2 expression. HCC cells with higher DLX2 expression were more sensitive to acRoots. CONCLUSIONS: acRoots inhibited the malignant biological behavior of HCC cells via regulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by DLX2.

Protective effect of Schisandra chinensis lignans on hypoxia-induced PC12 cells and signal transduction.

It is well-known that hypoxia induces neuronal injury; however, the mechanisms underlying this observed effect remain to be determined. Schisandra chinensis lignans (SCL). The aim of this study was thus to examine the ability of Schisandra chinensis lignans (SCL) to prevent hypoxia-induced neuronal injury using a human adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12). Exposure to hypoxia significantly reduced cell survival rate in cultured PC12 cells. However, pretreatment with SCL at 10, 20 or 40 µmol/L followed by hypoxia prevented loss of cellular viability. Flow cytometry demonstrated that the apoptotic rate in PC12 cells following hypoxia was significantly increased. Pretreatment with SCL 20 or 40 µmol/L in hypoxia-exposed cells resulted in significantly reduced apoptotic rates compared to hypoxia. Immunocytochemical staining showed that protein expression of p-Akt was significantly diminished by hypoxia. Following pre-treatment with different concentrations of SCL, PC12 cells were markedly stimulated as evidenced by elevated protein expression of p-Akt in a concentration-dependent manner. The expression of p-Akt protein in the presence of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002 and SCL was not markedly changed indicating that signal transduction was affected by this Chinese herb. There were no significant differences in total Akt protein expression following hypoxia or pretreatment with SCL. Western blot demonstrated that expression levels of caspase-3 protein were significantly increased while expression levels of Bcl-2 protein were decreased in hypoxic cells. Pretreatment with SCL followed by hypoxia significantly lowered expression levels of caspase-3 protein accompanied by elevated expression levels of Bcl-2 protein in a concentration-dependent manner. After co-incubation with LY29004 and SCL, down-regulation of expression of caspase-3 protein and up-regulation of the expression of Bcl-2 protein noted with SCL alone were suppressed. Data suggest that the protective effect exerted by SCL in hypoxia-induced PC12 cell injury involves enhanced cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis mediated by activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The increased protein Akt phosphorylation expression levels resulted in consequent reduced downstream caspase-3 expression and enhanced Bcl-2 expression.

Voluntary control of anterior insula and its functional connections is feedback-independent and increases pain empathy.

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI)-assisted neurofeedback (NF) training allows subjects to acquire volitional control over regional brain activity. Emerging evidence suggests its potential clinical utility as an effective non-invasive treatment approach in mental disorders. The therapeutic potential of rtfMRI-NF training depends critically upon whether: (1) acquired self-regulation produces functionally relevant changes at behavioral and brain network levels and (2) training effects can be maintained in the absence of feedback. To address these key questions, the present study combined rtfMRI-NF training for acquiring volitional anterior insula (AI) regulation with a sham-controlled between-subject design. The functional relevance of acquired AI control was assessed using both behavioral (pain empathy) and neural (activity, functional connectivity) indices. Maintenance of training effects in the absence of feedback was assessed two days later. During successful acquisition of volitional AI up-regulation subjects exhibited stronger empathic responses, increased AI-prefrontal coupling in circuits involved in learning and emotion regulation and increased resting state connectivity within AI-centered empathy networks. At follow-up both self-regulation and increased connectivity in empathy networks were fully maintained, although without further increases in empathy ratings. Overall these findings support the potential clinical application of rtfMRI-NF for inducing functionally relevant and lasting changes in emotional brain circuitry.

Mongolian folk medicine--from traditional practice to scientific development.

Mongolian folk medicine, the important part of Mongolian medicine, is the main means, method and weapon of disease prevention, treatment and health care. Mongolian materia medicas are the important literatures of guiding the healthy development of the modern Mongolian medicine with a long and dazzling history. Since the founding of new China, a new history chapter of Mongolian folk medicine was opened under the attention and support from all levels of party and government. This paper intends to provide comprehensive insight into the rapid development of Mongolian folk medicine. The resources, phytochemistry, quality standard, pharmacology, dosage forms reform and production were reviewed to expound the process that Mongolian folk medicine was developed from traditional practices to scientific development

[Isolation and identification of cultivable myxobacteria in the rhizosphere soils of medicinal plants].

OBJECTIVE: We isolated myxobacteria and explored their diversity from the rhizosphere soils of some medicinal plants. METHODS: We used the helper bacteria baiting technique to isolate myxobacteria from the rhizosphere soils collected in South China Botanical Garden and Nanling National Forest Park. The myxobacteria were identified by morphological characteristics and 16S rDNA gene sequences analysis. RESULTS: A total of 50 strains were isolated from 22 soil samples, which were identified into 7 genera, Myxococcus (18), Corallococcus (11), Cystobacter (7), Archangium (8), Stigmatella (1), Chondromyces (4) and Pyxidicoccus (1). The dominant genera were Myxococcus and Corallococcus. CONCLUSION: Environmental factors were associated with the diversity of myxobactria. Myxobacteria better adapt in high organic matter content and neutral pH environments. The strains of Myxococcus and Corallococcus had a good adaptability for different pH. Meanwhile, the dependence of the strains of Myxococcus and Cystobacter on organic carbon content was not too obvious, and they can also be found in the poor soils. Our findings provided an important scientific base for the development and utilization of myxobacteria resources.

[Study on preparation and tissue distribution of hydroxycamptothecin liposomes].

OBJECTIVE: To develop HCPT liposome with small diameter and to study the tissue distribution of the HCPT liposome in rats. METHOD: Modified solvent-injection method was used to prepare HCPT liposome. The entrapment efficiency, morphology, size and zeta potential were also investigated. The transformation temperature and the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids were determined by fluorescence spectrophotometry. HCPT liposome and HCPT injection (5 mg x kg(-1)) were injected by tail vein in mice, respectively. The tissue concentrations of HCPT were determined by LC-MS/MS. RESULT: Under selected process conditions, the HCPT liposomes were spherical and integrated with the mean entrapment efficiency of (96.83 +/- 2.32)%, the size of (180.5 +/- 4.5) nm and the zeta potential of--(32.1 +/- 1.3) mV. It showed that the optimum proportion of cholesterol to phospholipids was 1.5: 10, the optimum transformation temperature was 32.5 degrees C; HCPT liposome at a dose of 5 mg x kg(-1) led to higher concentration and longer duration of action compared with HCPT injection on market. CONCLUSION: HCPT liposome prepared by solvent-injection method was characteristic of small mean diameter, high encapsulation efficiency and long circulation in vivo.