Objective:To establish a nomogram model for predicting the hyper-progression recurrence after hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on circulating tumor cells (CTC).Methods:Clinical data of 231 HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital from January 2013 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 200 males and 31 females, aged 46(39, 52) years old. Patients were divided into two groups: the modeling group ( n=154) and the validation group ( n=77). According to the state of postoperative hyper-progression recurrence, patients in the modeling group were subdivided into hyper-progression recurrence ( n=39) and non-hyper-progression recurrence group ( n=115). Patients in the validation group were also subdivided into hyper-progression recurrence ( n=16) and non-hyper-progression recurrence group ( n=61). Clinicopathological data such as the total CTC count, alpha-fetoprotein, and postoperative pathology were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative hyper-progression recurrence. A nomogram model was established based on the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve (CIC) were used to validate the nomogram model. Results:Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HCC patients with age ≤45 years old ( OR=6.704, 95% CI: 1.619-27.760, P=0.009), incomplete tumor capsule ( OR=13.292, 95% CI: 3.084-57.295, P=0.001), high total numbers of CTC ( OR=1.101, 95% CI: 1.023-1.186, P=0.011) and high Ki67 index ( OR=52.659, 95% CI: 3.215-862.604, P=0.005) had a high risk of hyper-progression recurrence after hepatectomy. The above three preoperative variables were integrated to construct a nomogram model. The calibration curve showed that the predicted results of the nomogram model were in good agreement with the actual results. The ROC curves of the nomogram model for predicting hyper-progression recurrence after hepatectomy in HCC patients were plotted, and the area under the curve was 0.907 (95% CI: 0.856-0.959) and 0.833 (95% CI: 0.721-0.945) in the modeling group and validation group, respectively. DCA showed that the nomogram model could be used as a valuable predictive tool for the hyper-progression recurrence after hepatectomy. The CIC showed that the population judged by the nomogram model was highly matched with the actual population with hyper-progression recurrence. Conclusions:This study established a nomogram model based on age, tumor capsular integrity and total CTC count, which could accurately predict the postoperative hyper-progression recurrence in HCC patients before hepatectomy. The model is promising in guiding clinical practice after further validation.

The modernization and development of traditional Chinese medicine has led to higher standards for the quality of traditional Chinese medicine products. The extraction process is a crucial component of traditional Chinese medicine production, and it directly impacts the final quality of the product. However, the currently relied upon methods for quality assurance of the extraction process, such as simple wet chemical analysis, have several limitations, including time consumption and labor intensity, and do not offer precise control of the extraction process. As a result, there is significant value in incorporating near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in the production process of traditional Chinese medicine to improve the quality control of the final products. In this study, we focused on the extraction process of Xiao'er Xiaoji Zhike oral liquid (XXZOL), using near-infrared spectra collected by both a Fourier transform near-infrared spectrometer and a portable near-infrared spectrometer. We used the concentration of synephrine, a quality control index component specified by the pharmacopoeia, to achieve rapid and accurate detection in the extraction process. Moreover, we developed a model transfer method to facilitate the transfer of models between the two types of near-infrared spectrometers (analytical grade and portable), thus resolving the low resolution, poor performance, and insufficient prediction accuracy issues of portable instruments. Our findings enable the rapid screening and quality analysis of XXZOL onsite, which is significant for quality monitoring during the traditional Chinese medicine production process.

The physical properties of ginkgo leaves extract(GLE) are the critical quality attributes for the control of the manufacturing process of ginkgo leaves preparations. In this study, 53 batches of GLE with different sources from the real world were used as the objects to carry out the research from 3 levels. First, based on micromeritics evaluation method, a total of 29 physical attribute quality parameters in five dimensions were comprehensively characterized, with a total of 1 537 data points. Further, with use of physical fingerprinting technology combined with similarity evaluation, the powder physical properties of 53 batches of GLE showed obvious differences from an overall perspective, and the similarity of the physical fingerprints was 0.876 to 1.000. Secondly, hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA) and principal component analysis(PCA) models were constructed to realize the reliable identification and differentiation of real-world materials produced by GLE from different sources. Multivariate statistical process control(MSPC) model was used to create GLE material Hotelling T~2 and squared prediction error(SPE) control charts. It was found that the SPE score of B_(21) powder exceeded the 99% confidence control limit by 22.495 9, and the SPE scores of A_1 and C_(10) powder exceeded the 95% confidence control limit by 16.099 2, realizing the determination of abnormal samples in the materials of GLE from the production in real world. Finally, the physical quality control method of GLE in the production process of ginkgo leaves preparations was established in this study, providing a reference for the quality control methods of ginkgo leaves preparations in their manufacturing process.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Ginkgo biloba ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Extracts ; Plant Leaves ; Powders ; Quality Control

Assessment of the status property(boiling time) is a challenge for the quality control of extraction process in pharmaceutical enterprises. In this study, the pilot extraction process of Phellodendron chinense was used as the research carrier to develop an online near-infrared(NIR) quality control method based on the status property(boiling time). First, the NIR spectra of P. chinense were collected during the two pilot-scale extraction processes, and the status property(boiling time) was assessed by observing the state of bubbles in the extraction tank using a transparent window during the extraction process, which was then used as a reference standard. Based on the moving block standard deviation(MBSD) algorithm, the assessment model using online NIR spectra for boiling time during extraction process was established. In addition, the model was optimized as follows: standard normal variable(SNV) for spectral pretreatment, modeling band of 800-2 200 nm, and window size of 4. The results showed that, with 0.002 0 as the MBSD model threshold, the boiling time can be accurately assessed using online NIR spectra during extraction process. Furthermore, the principal component analysis-moving block standard deviation(PCA-MBSD) model was developed by our group to reduce the influence of online NIR spectral noise and background signal on the model, and the number of principal components was optimized into 2 in the PCA-MBSD model. The results showed that, with 0.000 075 as the PCA-MBSD model threshold, the boiling time can be accurately assessed using online NIR spectra during extraction process, with improved reliability. This study can provide a assessment method for boiling time during extraction process using online NIR spectra, which can replace the empirical judgment in manual observation, and realize the digitalization of the extraction process for big brand traditional Chinese medicine.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Principal Component Analysis ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared

At present,the function evaluation of health food containing Chinese materia medica is in lack of theoretical support of Chinese medicine,which can't reflect the function characteristics,dose-effect relationship and mechanism of functional food. What' s more,the evaluation technology of health food containing Chinese materia medica is relatively lagging behind and has been abolished now,which seriously restricts the development of health food containing Chinese materia medica industry. The proportion of health food containing Chinese materia medica with enhancing immune function is the highest among approved products,which is up to 30.33%. By collecting,analyzing and digging the current evaluation situation of enhancing immune function of health food containing Chinese materia medica,this paper has shown that there is no difference between health food containing Chinese materia medica evaluation and other functional food evaluation. What's more,there is a lack of characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The technological means including evaluation of immune active substances is under-developed and the immune cell evaluation needs to be refined and improved urgently,restricting the development of health food containing Chinese materia medica industry. Therefore,the evaluation of the enhanced immune function of health food containing Chinese materia medica should be guided by health-preserving theory in TCM,and based on the identification of TCM constitution for its claim of health function. With TCM theory and modern scientific technological means,a new evaluation model for immune function enhancement of health food containing Chinese materia medica is put forward to distinguish it from other functional food and traditional medicines. Formulation of the evaluation technology and technical specifications suitable for health food containing Chinese materia medica can fundamentally ensure the healthy,orderly,fast and sustainable development of health food containing Chinese materia medica industry.
Functional Food ; Humans ; Immune System ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Research Design ; Technology

With the development of social economy,people's demand for health services is growing rapidly. As health resource with Chinese characteristics,health food containing Chinese materia medica have broad prospect and great market space for development.However,at present,there are still many problems of health food containing Chinese materia media in the research,development,evaluation and market application. In addition,due to lack of theoretical support of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in the research and development of health food containing Chinese materia media,blurred boundaries between health food containing Chinese materia media and other health products as well as TCM are present,lacking of TCM characteristics. In the evaluation process of health food containing Chinese materia media,the construction of functional food laws,regulations and evaluation norms is relatively lagging behind,which can't meet the needs of health food containing Chinese materia media research and development,severely restricting the development of health food containing Chinese materia media. Based on the research and evaluation of health food containing Chinese materia media,the existing problems were reviewed and the reasons for the deficiencies were analyzed in this paper. Guided by the theory of TCM,based on the constitution identification in TCM,and combined with modern scientific and technological means,a new research and development mode of functional food was put forward in this paper to distinguish health food containing Chinese materia media from TCM as well as general health products. Nevertheless,we should ensure the vitality of Chinese medicine health products with original thinking and scientific and technological connotations,and accelerate the harmonious,rapid and sustainable development of Chinese medicine health industry.
Functional Food ; Industry ; Materia Medica ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Research

Objective: To investigate the impact of perioperative allogeneic red blood cells transfusion on the early recurrence of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver resection. Methods: Retrospective analysis was made on 999 patients who underwent surgical resection for HCC, and these patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not received perioperative allogeneic red blood cells transfusion. Differences between groups were balanced using propensity score matching (PSM). The Kaplan-Meier method was used for comparing the differences in early recurrence (within 2 years) between the two groups and the multivariate COX analysis regression was used to identify independent risk factors for early recurrence. Result: There were 100 patients in red cell transfusion group and 899 patients in non-red cell transfusion group. After PSM, 85 pairs of patients were successfully matched, and there was no significant difference in baseline data between groups. Before PSM, the early recurrence rate of the red blood cell group was significantly higher than that of the non-red blood cell group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in early recurrence rates between the two groups after PSM (P=0.346). Multivariate analysis showed that perioperative allogeneic red blood cells transfusion was not an independent risk factor of early recurrence for patients with HCC after liver resection (P=0.153). Conclusion Perioperative allogeneic red blood cells transfusion has no impact on the early recurrence of patients with HCC after liver resection.

Heat shock protein 70(HSP70)is a highly conserved polypeptide protein,which plays an im-portant role in protein homeostasis,apoptosis,invasion and cell signaling transduction. Many studies have shown that the expression level of HSP70 is closely related to the development and progression of tumor,which is a low expression in normal tissues and the overexpression in tumor tissue. Hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) is con-cealed,and the related study reported that the expression of HSP70 can be used as a sensitive biological index for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis for early HCC,and also affects the treatment and prognosis of patients with HCC. This article will summary the relationship between the expression of HSP70 and HCC.

Objective To investigate the mRNA expression of β‐catenin and PTEN in hepatocellular carcinoma exposed to hepa‐titis B virus(HBV) and aflatoxin B1(AFB1) .Methods 108 HCCs came from different districts of Guangxi province were labeled as four categories based on their biomarkers of HBV and AFB1 exposure .Group A :HBV(+ )/AFB1(+ ) ,48 cases ,group B :HBV (+ )/AFB1(-) ,27 cases ,group C :HBV(-)/AFB1(+ ) ,19 cases ,group D :HBV(-)/AFB1(-) ,14 cases .And normal hepatic tissue from 20 cases of hepatic hemangioma ,liver resection and liver transplant donor were chosen as normal control group .And the mRNA expression of β‐catenin and PTEN were detected by RT‐PCR .Results The mean expression level of β‐catenin gene mRNA in group A ,B ,C ,D and control group were(1 .13 ± 0 .14) ,(1 .06 ± 0 .12) ,(1 .16 ± 0 .18) ,(1 .01 ± 0 .13) and(0 .085 ± 0 .13) respec‐tively .There were significant differences between group A and C ,A and D .And there were significant differences between these four groups and control group(all P<0 .05) .The mean expression level of PTEN gene mRNA in four subgroup A ,B ,C ,D and con‐trol group were(0 .54 ± 0 .13) ,(0 .59 ± 0 .16) ,(0 .97 ± 0 .16) ,(0 .92 ± 0 .13) and(1 .10 ± 0 .16) respectively .There were significant differences between group A and D ,C and D .And there were significant differences between group A and C (P=0 .002) ,A and D(P=0 .032) ,B and C(P<0 .001) and B and D(P=0 .011) .And there were significant differences between subgroup A ,B and D and control group(all P<0 .05) .Conclusion The over expression β‐catenin of HCC cases may be associated with the exposure to AFB1 while the loss of gene PTEN may relate to the exposure to HBV .

Objective To explore the effects and the molecular mechanism of synergistic hepatocarcinogenesis of HBV and AFB1 in the development of HCC by studying the difference in protein expression profiles in hepatocellular carcinoma exposed to hepatitis B virus and Aflatoxin B1.Method 32 HCC specimens were labeled under four categories based on their biomarkers of HBV and AFB1 exposure:group A:HBV(+)/AFB1 (+),10 cases,group B:HBV(+)/AFB1 (-),10 cases,group C:HBV(-)/AFB1(+),6 cases,groupD:HBV(-)/AFB1(-),6 cases.Normal hepatic tissues from 10 cases of hepatic hemangioma,liver resection and liver transplant donor were chosen as the normal control group.Isobaric Tagging Reagent Quantitative (iTRAQ) Proteomics together with 2DLC MS/MS were applied to analyze the differentially expressed proteins among the 4 groups.Result (1) A total of 117 unique differentially expressed proteins including 53 up-regulated proteins and 64 down-regulated proteins were identified in the four groups.The number of unique differentially expressed proteins,including up-regulated and down-regulated proteins,in group A,group B,group C and group D were 106,97,104 and 74 respectively.(2) Among the 117 differentially expressed proteins,9 proteins were heat shock proteins or chaperones,and they were up regulated in group A,B and C.Besides,15 proteins were detoxification and drug metabolism pathway related proteins,12 of them were down-regulated in group A,and more than half of them were also down-regulated in group B and C.(3) The Reverse Transcriptase PCR result showed the mean expression level of AKR1B10 mRNA in group A was significantly higher than group B,C and D (all P＜0.05,respectively).Group C also showed significantly a higher expression level of AKR1B10 mRNA than group D (P＜0.05).The Western-blot results showed the mean expression level of AKR1B10 protein in group A was significantly higher than group B and D (all P＜0.05,respectively).Conclusions The up-regulated expression of heat shock protein and the down-regulated expression of most protein enzymes related to detoxification and drug metabolism were the common molecular biological events of HCC associated with exposure to HBV and AFB1.This suggested the synergistic hepatocarcinogenesis effects of HBV and AFB1 may be related to dysregulation of protein enzymes related to detoxification and drug metabolism.The overexpression of AKR1B10 may be involved in the AFB1-related hepatocarcinogenesis process.