Objective: To investigate the correlation between color parameters (L^*, a^*, b^*, Eab^*) and the contents of reducing sugars, total polysaccharides, total oligosaccharides, as well as four saccharides (fructose, glucose, sucrose, and kestose) during the nine cycles of steaming and sun-drying processing of Polygonatum kingianum, and to preliminarily explore the optimal processing duration.
Methods: The color changes were objectively evaluated using a colorimeter. The anthrone-sulfuric acid method was employed to determine total polysaccharides and oligosaccharides. The 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) colorimetric method was used to measure total reducing sugar content. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with charged aerosol detection (HPLC-CAD) was applied for quantitative analysis of fructose, glucose, sucrose, and kestose. Multivariate statistical analysis was conducted to assess samples from different processing stages.
Results: Significant variations in color and component contents were observed across processing stages. The herbal pieces progressively darkened with increased processing cycles: brightness (L^*) and total color difference (Eab^*) initially decreased then stabilized, while a^* (red-green) and b^* (yellow-blue) values first increased then declined. Total polysaccharides and oligosaccharides showed overall decreasing trends, whereas reducing sugars initially increased before stabilizing. Fructose and glucose levels rose continuously, while sucrose and kestose decreased progressively, becoming undetectable after five cycles.
Conclusion: The chromatic alteration and saccharide composition of P. kingianum showed significant correlation with processing duration. Both total color difference (Eab^*) and reducing sugar content stabilized after four processing cycles (12 hours), suggesting that four cycles of steaming and sun-drying may represent the optimal processing duration.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the color parameters (L^*, a^*, b^*, Eab^* values) of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata powder prepared by different processing techniques and the contents of 2,3,5,4’-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, emodin, physcion, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, physcion-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.
Methods: The L^*, a^*, b^* and Eab^* values of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata powder prepared by different processing techniques were determined by spectrophotometer, and the contents of the five components were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Secondly, SPSS 26.0 software and Simca 14.1 software were used to analyze the correlation.
Results: Through the hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), it was found that the steamed samples and black bean steamed samples could be obviously divided into two categories: raw products and processed products. The processed products could be further divided into 2-8 h and 12-48 h. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the content of stilbene glycoside was significantly positively correlated with L^*, a^* and b^* values (P<0.01). The a^* value was significantly positively correlated with the content of emodin and physcion (P<0.01). Emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside was positively correlated with L^* value and b^* value, while physcion-8-O-β-D-glucoside was negatively correlated with a^* value. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS) showed that 2,3,5,4’-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (VIP=1.69) and emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside (VIP=1.06) were the key variables affecting chromaticity characteristics (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The three processes of steaming, black bean steaming and black bean stewing are consistent in composition transformation and chromaticity variation, and stilbene glycoside can be used as a specific index component to characterize the processed color. Chromatic parameters can effectively reflect the processing progression and serve as quality monitoring indicators during production.

Objective To investigate the proportion of Th17 cells,Th1-like Th17 cells and FoxP3+Th17 cells in bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS),the expression of interleukin-17A(IL-17A)in bone marrow supernatant and its clinical significance.Methods Forty MDS patients(MDS group)and 18 patients with nutritional anemia(control group)were selected.MDS patients were classified into the low blast(MDS-LB)group(19 cases)and the increased blast(MDS-IB)group(21 cases,including 11 cases of type IB1 and 10 cases of type IB2)based on morphological definition.The MDS patients were scored according to the revised International Prognostic Scoring System(IPSS-R),with 18 cases in the low-risk group(≤4.5)and 22 cases in the high-risk group(>4.5).Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Th17 cells,Th1-like Th17 cells and FoxP3+Th17 cells in bone marrow of the MDS group and the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the level of IL-17A in bone marrow supernatant of the above samples.Results The proportion of Th17 cells and the level of IL-17A were higher in patients of the MDS group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).According to the median expression level of IL-17A,the MDS group was divided into the low-expression group(＜13.71 ng/L,20 cases)and the high-expression group(≥13.71 ng/L,20 cases).Compared with the low-expression group,there were higher proportion of patients with blast cells＜5%and low-risk patients(P＜0.05)in the high-expression group.Compared with the IL-17A low-expression group,the IL-17A high-expression group had a higher proportion of patients with blast cells＜5%and relatively low-risk patients(P＜0.05).Compared with the low-risk patients,high-risk patients had a lower proportion of Th17 cells,IL-17A levels and Th1-like Th17 cells,and a higher proportion of FoxP3+Th17 cells(P＜0.05).Compared with the MDS-LB group,the MDS-IB group had a lower proportion of Th17 cells,IL-17A levels and Th1-like Th17 cells,and a higher proportion of FoxP3+Th17 cells(P＜0.05).Conclusion The proportion of Th17 cells and the level of IL-17A are significantly increased in MDS patients.The decreased proportion of Th1-like Th17 cells and the increased proportion of FoxP3+Th17 cells may be related to the increased proportion of blast cells and higher risk stratification in patients.

Objective To investigate the proportion of Th17 cells,Th1-like Th17 cells and FoxP3+Th17 cells in bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS),the expression of interleukin-17A(IL-17A)in bone marrow supernatant and its clinical significance.Methods Forty MDS patients(MDS group)and 18 patients with nutritional anemia(control group)were selected.MDS patients were classified into the low blast(MDS-LB)group(19 cases)and the increased blast(MDS-IB)group(21 cases,including 11 cases of type IB1 and 10 cases of type IB2)based on morphological definition.The MDS patients were scored according to the revised International Prognostic Scoring System(IPSS-R),with 18 cases in the low-risk group(≤4.5)and 22 cases in the high-risk group(>4.5).Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Th17 cells,Th1-like Th17 cells and FoxP3+Th17 cells in bone marrow of the MDS group and the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the level of IL-17A in bone marrow supernatant of the above samples.Results The proportion of Th17 cells and the level of IL-17A were higher in patients of the MDS group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).According to the median expression level of IL-17A,the MDS group was divided into the low-expression group(＜13.71 ng/L,20 cases)and the high-expression group(≥13.71 ng/L,20 cases).Compared with the low-expression group,there were higher proportion of patients with blast cells＜5%and low-risk patients(P＜0.05)in the high-expression group.Compared with the IL-17A low-expression group,the IL-17A high-expression group had a higher proportion of patients with blast cells＜5%and relatively low-risk patients(P＜0.05).Compared with the low-risk patients,high-risk patients had a lower proportion of Th17 cells,IL-17A levels and Th1-like Th17 cells,and a higher proportion of FoxP3+Th17 cells(P＜0.05).Compared with the MDS-LB group,the MDS-IB group had a lower proportion of Th17 cells,IL-17A levels and Th1-like Th17 cells,and a higher proportion of FoxP3+Th17 cells(P＜0.05).Conclusion The proportion of Th17 cells and the level of IL-17A are significantly increased in MDS patients.The decreased proportion of Th1-like Th17 cells and the increased proportion of FoxP3+Th17 cells may be related to the increased proportion of blast cells and higher risk stratification in patients.

Polygoni multiflori radix praeparata is a processed product of Polygoni multiflori radix(Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.),and its main components include stilbene glycosides,anthraquinones,flavonoids,alkaloids,phenolic acids,etc.It has antioxidant,antianemic,anti-tumor,hypoglycemic,anti-inflammatory effects,etc,and is widely used in clinical practice.The processing technology is mainly stewinging with black bean juice,steaming,processing for 9 times and braising and simmering.After processing,the color deepens and the content of composition changes.By consulting domestic and foreign literature,the research on Polygoni multiflori radix praeparata is not comprehensive enough compared with Polygoni multiflori radix.Therefore,this paper mainly summarizes the processing technology,chemical composition and pharmacological activity of Polygoni multiflori radix preparata reported in the past 20 years,and provides a reference for further development of Polygoni multiflori radix preparata.

Background::Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (HPD) has been considered the only curative treatment for metastatic cholangiocarcinoma and some locally advanced gallbladder cancers (GBCs). However, HPD has not yet been included in treatment guidelines as a standard surgical procedure in consideration of its morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of HPD in treating biliary malignancies.Methods::The medical records of 57 patients with advanced biliary cancer undergoing HPD from January 2009 to December 2019 were retrospectively retrieved. A case-control analysis was conducted at our department. Patients with advanced GBC who underwent HPD (HPD-GBC group) were compared with a control group (None-HPD-GBC group). Baseline characteristics, preoperative treatments, tumor pathologic features, operative results, and prognosis were assessed.Results::Thirteen patients with cholangiocarcinoma and 44 patients with GBC underwent HPD at our department. Significant postoperative complications (grade III or greater) and postoperative pancreatic fistula were observed in 24 (42.1%) and 15 (26.3%) patients, respectively. One postoperative death occurred in the present study. Overall survival (OS) was longer in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma than in those with GBC (median survival time [MST], 31 months vs. 11 months; P < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis of patients with advanced GBC, multivariate analysis demonstrated that T4 stage tumors ( P = 0.012), N2 tumors ( P = 0.001), and positive margin status ( P = 0.004) were independently associated with poorer OS. Patients with either one or more prognostic factors exhibited a shorter MST than patients without those prognostic factors ( P < 0.001). Conclusion::HPD could be performed with a relatively low mortality rate and an acceptable morbidity rate in an experienced high-volume center. For patients with advanced GBC without an N2 or T4 tumor, HPD can be a preferable treatment option.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis, treat-ment and prognosis of gallbladder cancer in China from 2010 to 2017.Methods:The single disease retrospective registration cohort study was conducted. Based on the concept of the real world study, the clinicopathological data, from multicenter retrospective clinical data database of gallbladder cancer of Chinese Research Group of Gallbladder Cancer (CRGGC), of 6 159 patients with gallbladder cancer who were admitted to 42 hospitals from January 2010 to December 2017 were collected. Observation indicators: (1) case resources; (2) age and sex distribution; (3) diagnosis; (4) surgical treatment and prognosis; (5) multimodality therapy and prognosis. The follow-up data of the 42 hospitals were collected and analyzed by the CRGGC. The main outcome indicator was the overall survival time from date of operation for surgical patients or date of diagnosis for non-surgical patients to the end of outcome event or the last follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribu-tion were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(range), and com-parison between groups was conducted using the U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Univariate analysis was performed using the Logistic forced regression model, and variables with P<0.1 in the univariate analysis were included for multivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Logistic stepwise regression model. The life table method was used to calculate survival rates and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves. Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Case resources: of the 42 hospitals, there were 35 class A of tertiary hospitals and 7 class B of tertiary hospitals, 16 hospitals with high admission of gallbladder cancer and 26 hospitals with low admission of gallbladder cancer, respectively. Geographical distribution of the 42 hospitals: there were 9 hospitals in central China, 5 hospitals in northeast China, 22 hospitals in eastern China and 6 hospitals in western China. Geographical distribution of the 6 159 patients: there were 2 154 cases(34.973%) from central China, 705 cases(11.447%) from northeast China, 1 969 cases(31.969%) from eastern China and 1 331 cases(21.611%) from western China. The total average number of cases undergoing diagnosis and treatment in hospitals of the 6 159 patients was 18.3±4.5 per year, in which the average number of cases undergoing diagnosis and treatment in hospitals of 4 974 patients(80.760%) from hospitals with high admission of gallbladder cancer was 38.8±8.9 per year and the average number of cases undergoing diagnosis and treatment in hospitals of 1 185 patients(19.240%) from hospitals with low admission of gallbladder cancer was 5.7±1.9 per year. (2) Age and sex distribution: the age of 6 159 patients diagnosed as gallbladder cancer was 64(56,71) years, in which the age of 2 247 male patients(36.483%) diagnosed as gallbladder cancer was 64(58,71)years and the age of 3 912 female patients(63.517%) diagnosed as gallbladder cancer was 63(55,71)years. The sex ratio of female to male was 1.74:1. Of 6 159 patients, 3 886 cases(63.095%) were diagnosed as gallbladder cancer at 56 to 75 years old. There was a significant difference on age at diagnosis between male and female patients ( Z=-3.99, P<0.001). (3) Diagnosis: of 6 159 patients, 2 503 cases(40.640%) were initially diagnosed as gallbladder cancer and 3 656 cases(59.360%) were initially diagnosed as non-gallbladder cancer. There were 2 110 patients(34.259%) not undergoing surgical treatment, of which 200 cases(9.479%) were initially diagnosed as gallbladder cancer and 1 910 cases(90.521%) were initially diagnosed as non-gallbladder cancer. There were 4 049 patients(65.741%) undergoing surgical treatment, of which 2 303 cases(56.878%) were initially diagnosed as gallbladder cancer and 1 746 cases(43.122%) were initial diagnosed as non-gallbladder cancer. Of the 1 746 patients who were initially diagnosed as non-gallbladder cancer, there were 774 cases(19.116%) diagnosed as gallbladder cancer during operation and 972 cases(24.006%) diagnosed as gallbladder cancer after operation. Of 6 159 patients, there were 2 521 cases(40.932%), 2 335 cases(37.912%) and 1 114 cases(18.087%) undergoing ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination before initial diagnosis, respec-tively, and there were 3 259 cases(52.914%), 3 172 cases(51.502%) and 4 016 cases(65.205%) undergoing serum carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19-9 or CA125 examination before initially diagnosis, respectively. One patient may underwent multiple examinations. Results of univariate analysis showed that geographical distribution of hospitals (eastern China or western China), age ≥72 years, gallbladder cancer annual admission of hospitals, whether undergoing ultrasound, CT, MRI, serum carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19-9 or CA125 examination before initially diagnosis were related factors influencing initial diagnosis of gallbladder cancer patients ( odds ratio=1.45, 1.98, 0.69, 0.68, 2.43, 0.41, 1.63, 0.41, 0.39, 0.42, 95% confidence interval as 1.21-1.74, 1.64-2.40, 0.59-0.80, 0.60-0.78, 2.19-2.70, 0.37-0.45, 1.43-1.86, 0.37-0.45, 0.35-0.43, 0.38-0.47, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that geographical distribution of hospitals (eastern China or western China), sex, age ≥72 years, gallbladder cancer annual admission of hospitals and cases undergoing ultrasound, CT, serum CA19-9 examination before initially diagnosis were indepen-dent influencing factors influencing initial diagnosis of gallbladder cancer patients ( odds ratio=1.36, 1.42, 0.89, 0.67, 1.85, 1.56, 1.57, 0.39, 95% confidence interval as 1.13-1.64, 1.16-1.73, 0.79-0.99, 0.57-0.78, 1.60-2.14, 1.38-1.77, 1.38-1.79, 0.35-0.43, P<0.05). (4) Surgical treatment and prognosis. Of the 4 049 patients undergoing surgical treatment, there were 2 447 cases(60.435%) with complete pathological staging data and follow-up data. Cases with pathological staging as stage 0, stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ, stage Ⅲa, stage Ⅲb, stage Ⅳa and stage Ⅳb were 85(3.474%), 201(8.214%), 71(2.902%), 890(36.371%), 382(15.611%), 33(1.348%) and 785(32.080%), respectively. The median follow-up time and median postoperative overall survival time of the 2 447 cases were 55.75 months (95% confidence interval as 52.78-58.35) and 23.46 months (95% confidence interval as 21.23-25.71), respectively. There was a significant difference in the overall survival between cases with pathological staging as stage 0, stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ, stage Ⅲa, stage Ⅲb, stage Ⅳa and stage Ⅳb ( χ2=512.47, P<0.001). Of the 4 049 patients undergoing surgical treatment, there were 2 988 cases(73.796%) with resectable tumor, 177 cases(4.371%) with unresectable tumor and 884 cases(21.833%) with tumor unassessable for resectabi-lity. Of the 2 988 cases with resectable tumor, there were 2 036 cases(68.139%) undergoing radical resection, 504 cases(16.867%) undergoing non-radical resection and 448 cases(14.994%) with operation unassessable for curative effect. Of the 2 447 cases with complete pathological staging data and follow-up data who underwent surgical treatment, there were 53 cases(2.166%) with unresectable tumor, 300 cases(12.260%) with resectable tumor and receiving non-radical resection, 1 441 cases(58.888%) with resectable tumor and receiving radical resection, 653 cases(26.686%) with resectable tumor and receiving operation unassessable for curative effect. There were 733 cases not undergoing surgical treatment with complete pathological staging data and follow-up data. There was a significant difference in the overall survival between cases not undergoing surgical treatment, cases undergoing surgical treatment for unresectable tumor, cases undergoing non-radical resection for resectable tumor and cases undergoing radical resection for resectable tumor ( χ2=121.04, P<0.001). (5) Multimodality therapy and prognosis: of 6 159 patients, there were 541 cases(8.784%) under-going postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and advanced chemotherapy, 76 cases(1.234%) under-going radiotherapy. There were 1 170 advanced gallbladder cancer (pathological staging ≥stage Ⅲa) patients undergoing radical resection, including 126 cases(10.769%) with post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy and 1 044 cases(89.231%) without postoperative adjuvant chemo-therapy. There was no significant difference in the overall survival between cases with post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy and cases without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy ( χ2=0.23, P=0.629). There were 658 patients with pathological staging as stage Ⅲa who underwent radical resection, including 66 cases(10.030%) with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and 592 cases(89.970%) without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. There was no significant difference in the overall survival between cases with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and cases without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy ( χ2=0.05, P=0.817). There were 512 patients with pathological staging ≥stage Ⅲb who underwent radical resection, including 60 cases(11.719%) with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and 452 cases(88.281%) without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. There was no significant difference in the overall survival between cases with postoperative adjuvant chemo-therapy and cases without post-operative adjuvant chemo-therapy ( χ2=1.50, P=0.220). Conclusions:There are more women than men with gallbladder cancer in China and more than half of patients are diagnosed at the age of 56 to 75 years. Cases undergoing ultrasound, CT, serum CA19-9 examination before initial diagnosis are independent influencing factors influencing initial diagnosis of gallbladder cancer patients. Preoperative resectability evaluation can improve the therapy strategy and patient prognosis. Adjuvant chemotherapy for gallbladder cancer is not standardized and in low proportion in China.

Objective:To explore the medium-long term efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH).Methods:From March 2013 to July 2018, clinical data of 13 INCPH patients, including 5 males, 8 females,with gastrointestinal hemorrhage were retrospectively analyzed, who were diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Anyang Fifth People′ s Hospital and Yuncheng Central Hospital. All patients received TIPS treatment. The general information, postoperative survival rate, the incidence of rebleeding, shunt dysfunction rate, and incidence of hepatic encephalopathy were analyzed.Results:All 13 patients with INCPH completed TIPS successfully with an average age of 45±8 (33 to 59) years. The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) decreased from 20.0-26.0 (22.6±1.9) mmHg before procedure to 8.0-14.0 (9.4±3.2) mmHg after. The median follow-up time was 44±7 (31 to 53) months. One patient died of liver failure 27 months after TIPS. Hepatic encephalopathy occurred cumulatively in 1 case (1/13), 1 case (1/13) and 1 case (1/13) in 12, 24 and 36 months after TIPS. Stent restenosis occurred cumulatively in 2 cases (2/13), 3 cases (3/13) and 3 cases (3/13) in 12, 24 and 36 months after TIPS. Portal vein thrombosis occurred cumulatively in 2 cases (2/13), and no primary liver cancer developed.Conclusions:TIPS is safe and effective in the treatment of INCPH with gastrointestinal bleeding with favorable medium-long term outcome.

Objective : To investigate the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland. Methods: Data from 22 patients with parotid lymphoepithelial carcinoma from 2012 to 2019 were collected, and their clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, treatment methods and follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 22 patients, 8 were males and 14 were females. The patients ranged from 26 to 61 years old, with a complaint duration ranging from 3 days to 18 years. One patient had multiple unilateral lumps in the parotid gland, and the other 21 patients had single unilateral lumps in the parotid gland. All patients underwent preoperative spiral CT examination. CT showed a soft tissue lump in the parotid tissue, the internal density shadow was not uniform, the CT value ranged from 26 to 81 Hu, and 15 patients presented elliptical lesions with clear boundaries. Seven patients presented nodular lesions, and the boundary was not clear. The diagnosis of all cases was ultimately based on pathological examination. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining images showed active epithelial cell growth with atypia, mitotic figures could be seen, and abundant lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration could be seen in the tumor stroma. All 22 patients received surgical treatment; 9 patients did not undergo cervical lymph node dissection. Twenty patients received adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery, and 10 of them received adjuvant chemotherapy at the same time. One patient only received chemotherapy after surgery, and one patient did not receive any other adjuvant therapy after surgery. All patients received follow-up visits. One patient died of liver metastasis 16 months after the operation, and the remaining patients survived without tumors for periods of 13 months to 8 years until the present. Conclusion Parotid lymphoepithelial carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor clinically. Pathology is still the gold standard for the diagnosis of lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland. Radical resection of the tumor is the first choice of treatment. Selective neck lymph node dissection and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy can obtain better therapeutic effects according to clinical examination, imaging examination and neck conditions.

Objective To evaluate mechanical comprehensive performance of the flexible neural electrode with coating modification, so as to provide references for optimal design of the electrode and coating parameters. Methods Simplified mechanical models were established for the contact phase, implantation phase and micromotion phase. The electrode material was polyimide, the coating material was PEG, and PDMS mold injection method was selected as the coating method. The coating thickness gradients were set as 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 μm, respectively, and the three factors (the critical load, the maximum total deformation and the maximum strain of brain tissues) were comprehensively evaluated. Results As the thickness increased, the critical load increased, the maximum total deformation and the maximum strain of brain tissues decreased, but meanwhile, the strain area of brain tissues increased. For consideration of equilibrium for three factors, 200 μm was chosen as optimal thickness of the coating. At this thickness, the critical load was 17.9 mN, the maximum total deformation was 10.1 μm, and the maximum strain of brain tissues was 0.011 4. Conclusions The coating thickness had a great influence on mechanical properties of the neural electrode. The optimal parameters could be selected by setting influencing factors from the mechanical performance factors under specific case. The optimal parameter selection of coating can improve the electrode performance, which is of great significance for clinical application of the neural electrode.