Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl₄ and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.

ObjectiveTo analyze the "compatibility" relationship of sugars and glycosides and the heat-clearing and blood-cooling effect of the roots of four varieties of Rehmannia glutinosa and provide a basis for research on the pharmacodynamic material basis and quality control of R. glutinosa. MethodsThe content of sugars and glycosides in the roots of four varieties of R. glutinosa was determined during the growth period. The principal component analysis （PCA）， orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA）， and the "compatibility" relationship of active components were employed to screen out the differential samples. A rat model of bleeding due to blood heat was used to verify the pharmacodynamic differences and the potential active components of differential samples. ResultsThe content and proportion characteristics of various components in roots of the four varieties of R. glutinosa during the expansion stage and the maturity stage had obvious differences. The proportion of phenylethanoid glycosides at the maturity stage was higher than that at the expansion stage. The R. glutinosa variety 85-5 had special quality characteristics among the tested varieties. All the samples alleviated the symptoms in the rat model. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood was different between the maturity stage and the expansion stage， as well as between 85-5 samples at the maturity stage and other samples. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was the result of the combined action of multiple components in R. glutinosa roots and might be related to the high proportions of polysaccharides， iridoid glycosides， and phenylethanoid glycosides. ConclusionThe growth stage and variety affect the quality of R. glutinosa roots. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was related to the content and proportions of various components. The study can provide a basis for the basic research on the active components and quality control of R. glutinosa.

ObjectiveTo analyze the "compatibility" relationship of sugars and glycosides and the heat-clearing and blood-cooling effect of the roots of four varieties of Rehmannia glutinosa and provide a basis for research on the pharmacodynamic material basis and quality control of R. glutinosa. MethodsThe content of sugars and glycosides in the roots of four varieties of R. glutinosa was determined during the growth period. The principal component analysis （PCA）， orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA）， and the "compatibility" relationship of active components were employed to screen out the differential samples. A rat model of bleeding due to blood heat was used to verify the pharmacodynamic differences and the potential active components of differential samples. ResultsThe content and proportion characteristics of various components in roots of the four varieties of R. glutinosa during the expansion stage and the maturity stage had obvious differences. The proportion of phenylethanoid glycosides at the maturity stage was higher than that at the expansion stage. The R. glutinosa variety 85-5 had special quality characteristics among the tested varieties. All the samples alleviated the symptoms in the rat model. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood was different between the maturity stage and the expansion stage， as well as between 85-5 samples at the maturity stage and other samples. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was the result of the combined action of multiple components in R. glutinosa roots and might be related to the high proportions of polysaccharides， iridoid glycosides， and phenylethanoid glycosides. ConclusionThe growth stage and variety affect the quality of R. glutinosa roots. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was related to the content and proportions of various components. The study can provide a basis for the basic research on the active components and quality control of R. glutinosa.

Objective To observe the value of T1WI deep learning models for evaluating brain injury of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia(NHB).Methods Totally 106 NHB(defined as newborns with neonatal behavioral neurological assessment≤37,NHB group)and 119 non-NHB newborns(control group)in center A,as well as 34 NHB and 18 non-NHB newborns in center B were collected.ROI was delineated based on bilateral globus pallidus on T1WI.A total of 690 slices were obtained by preprocessing data of center A and then were divided into training set(n=552)and test set(n=138)at a ratio of 8∶2.ResNet18,DenseNet121 and EfficientNetB0 models was established,respectively.External validation was performed based on data of center B.Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn,area under the curves(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the performance of models for assessing NHB brain injuries compared with traditional visual analysis.Results The AUC of ResNet18 model for evaluating NHB brain injury was 0.910-0.990,significantly higher than that of DenseNet121 model(0.710-0.820)and EfficientNetB0 model(0.640-0.740)(all P＜0.001).The accuracy,sensitivity and precision of ResNet18 model for evaluating NHB brain injury were all higher than those of visual analysis(all P＜0.05),while no significant difference of specificity was found between the above two(P＞0.05).Conclusion T1WI ResNet18 model showed excellent performance and generalization ability for evaluating NHB brain injury.

OBJECTIVE To establish the fingerprint of Pinghuo tea standard decoction and a method for determination of multi-component to clarify the transfer relationship of quantities and quality from pieces and standard decoction.METHODS Fifteen batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction were prepared and the extract rate was determined;the fingerprint of the preparation was established by using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC);the similarity evaluation and the determination of common peaks were performed,and chemometric analysis was performed;the same method was used to determine the content of indicator components and the transfer rate was calculated.The chromatographic column was Venusil C18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1％ phosphoric acid solution (gradient elution);the column temperature was 30 ℃,and the detection wavelengths were 238 nm (0-37 min,85-102 min) and 330 nm (37-85 min) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with an injection volume of 10 μL.RESULTS The similarity of HPLC fingerprints for 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction was not lower than 0.968.A total of 24 common peaks were calibrated and 9 peaks were recognized,which were as follows neochlorogenic acid (peak 3),chlorogenic acid (peak 6),geniposide (peak 9),glycyrrhizin (peak 10),galuteolin (peak 11),isochlorogenic acid A (peak 14),luteolin (peak 21),kaempferol (peak 23) and glycyrrhizic acid (peak 24).Cluster analysis,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis showed consistent results,all of which could classify the 15 batches of samples into three categories.The linear range of indicator components in 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction,such as geniposide,luteolin,isochlorogenic acid A,glycyrrhizin,and glycyrrhizic acid,were 0.020580-0.411600,0.001617-0.080850,0.006076-0.607600,0.005125-0.071740,and 0.017288-0.432200 mg/mL,respectively;RSDs of precision,repeatability,stability and recovery rate tests were all not higher than 4％ (n=6).The mass fractions ranged 3.2279-10.0022,0.2974-0.5546,3.3501-6.1596,0.7206-1.0733,2.0031-3.0301 mg/g;transfer rates from the pieces and standard decoction were 19.7628％-35.8405％,12.1233％-21.2540％,46.0972％-82.8694％,58.7088％-91.6296％,39.1143％-63.7106％.The transfer rates of the extract from 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction ranged from 61.15％-84.68％.CONCLUSIONS Established HPLC fingerprint and content determination methods in this study are simple and accurate,which can provide reference for the quantitative value transfer study,quality control,clinical application and the development of subsequent formulations of Pinghuo tea standard decoction.

Objective To observe the value of T1WI deep learning models for evaluating brain injury of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia(NHB).Methods Totally 106 NHB(defined as newborns with neonatal behavioral neurological assessment≤37,NHB group)and 119 non-NHB newborns(control group)in center A,as well as 34 NHB and 18 non-NHB newborns in center B were collected.ROI was delineated based on bilateral globus pallidus on T1WI.A total of 690 slices were obtained by preprocessing data of center A and then were divided into training set(n=552)and test set(n=138)at a ratio of 8∶2.ResNet18,DenseNet121 and EfficientNetB0 models was established,respectively.External validation was performed based on data of center B.Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn,area under the curves(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the performance of models for assessing NHB brain injuries compared with traditional visual analysis.Results The AUC of ResNet18 model for evaluating NHB brain injury was 0.910-0.990,significantly higher than that of DenseNet121 model(0.710-0.820)and EfficientNetB0 model(0.640-0.740)(all P＜0.001).The accuracy,sensitivity and precision of ResNet18 model for evaluating NHB brain injury were all higher than those of visual analysis(all P＜0.05),while no significant difference of specificity was found between the above two(P＞0.05).Conclusion T1WI ResNet18 model showed excellent performance and generalization ability for evaluating NHB brain injury.

ObjectiveTaking Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix（ABR） from different origins as samples， to quantitatively analyze the chemical composition and chromaticity of ABR with different processing degrees， and clarify the correlation and change law between color and composition in the processing process of ABR， so as to provide reference for the quality evaluation of processed products of ABR. MethodThe colorimeter is used to measure the chromaticity values of three kinds of processing degrees of ABR in different origins to show the color value change trend during the processing process， and the color parameters of wine-processed and salt-processed products of ABR with different processing degrees were analyzed by principal component analysis（PCA）， orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） and other analysis methods. The contents of eight representative components of ABR were measured by high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC）， the correlation between chromaticity and each representative component was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis， and the applicability of the selected eight representative components was further verified by Fisher linear discriminant analysis， and the wine-processed and salt-processed products of ABR with different processing degrees were grouped according to the degree of processing， and 48 samples of wine-processed and salt-processed products with different processing degrees were used as training samples. Taking the contents of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural， polypodine B， β-ecdysterone， 25R-inokosterone， 25S-inokosterone， ginsenoside Ro， chikusetsusaponin Ⅳa and polysaccharides as variables， the discriminant function was established respectively， and 12 samples of wine-processed and salt-processed products of ABR with different processing degrees were back-tested to verify the discriminant function and test the reliability of the function. ResultPCA and OPLS-DA results showed that ABR samples with different processing degrees were classified into clusters， and the results could significantly distinguish different processed products. During the process of wine and salt processing， the contents of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural， ginsenoside Ro_， and chikusetsusaponin Ⅳa gradually increased with the deepening of the processing degree， while the contents of polypodine B， β-ecdysterone， 25R-inokosterone， 25S-inokosterone and polysaccharides showed a gradual decreasing trend， indicating these 8 components increased and decreased to different degrees in the process of wine and salt processing. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural content of the samples with different processing degrees of wine-processed and salt-processed products were negatively correlated with the brightness value（L^*） and the total color difference value（E^*ab）（P<0.01）， and positively correlated with the red-green value（a^*） and the yellow-blue value（b^*）（P<0.01）， and that the content of polypodine B and polysaccharides were positively correlated with L^* and E^*ab（P<0.01）. The discriminant functions of wine-processed and salt-processed products of ABR were established by Fisher linear discriminant analysis， and their accuracy rates in the training samples were 93.75% and 95.83%， respectively. Twelve test samples of wine-processed and salt-processed products with different processing degree were back substitution， and the correct rate was 100%. ConclusionThe trend of composition and color changes of ABR with different processing degrees in different production areas is relatively consistent， and the color value can better distinguish ABR with different processing degrees， and the color of ABR is related to some representative components in the processing process， indicating that the color can provide reference for the identification of the processing degree of ABR and the prediction of component content.

BACKGROUND:Superovulation is a common therapy in assisted reproductive technology.In clinical practice,some patients experience repeated superovulation to get pregnant. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of repeated superovulation on the developmental potential of oocytes in mice and humans. METHODS:Both animal experiments and retrospective clinical research were conducted.The animal study involved 90 SPF grade ICR 8-week-old female mice,who were randomly divided into three groups for 1,3,and 5 superovulations,respectively.The clinical study involved 306 patients who had undergone three consecutive in vitro fertilization cycles.The number of ovules obtained and embryonic development in different cycles were compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The animal study indicated that repeated superovulation did not affect the embryonic development or developmental speed of mouse embryos.Similarly,there was no significant difference in the mouse blastocyst apoptosis,DNA damage,or the formation of inner cell mass and trophectoderm(P>0.05).(2)The clinical study also revealed no significant differences in the number of retrieved oocytes(8.60±5.04,8.58±4.87,and 8.38±4.63,P=0.81)and transferable embryos(2.42±1.99,2.40±1.92,and 2.64±2.00,P=0.26)over the three cycles.(3)In both the young group(<35 years)and the old group(≥35 years),the embryo quality was not affected by repeated superovulation(P>0.05).(4)These findings show that repeated superovulation does not affect the developmental potential of oocytes in mice and humans.

Objective:To explore the teaching effect of virtual patient combined with case-based learning (CBL) and investigate its impact on improving students' clinical thinking ability.Methods:From July 2021 to December 2022, 71 students practicing in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were randomly divided into three groups: virtual patient teaching group (24 students), CBL teaching group (23 students), and mixed teaching group (24 students, virtual patient + CBL). After the teaching, a skill test and a teaching satisfaction survey were conducted. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS 24.0 software. The comparison of means among multiple groups was performed using analysis of variance. The pairwise comparisons between the three groups were performed using the least significant difference method.Results:In comparison of the scores of the three groups of students in skill test, there was a statistically significant difference in "consultation ideas" among the three groups of students [(82.04±3.76) vs. (79.00±4.93) vs. (78.61±4.56), P=0.018)], and the mixed teaching group performed better than the virtual patient teaching group and CBL teaching group. There was a significant difference in "total score" among the three groups of students [(81.33±5.02) vs. (80.65±5.67) vs. (79.76±5.15), P=0.046]. Pairwise comparisons showed that the mixed teaching group was significantly better than the CBL teaching group in "total score" ( P=0.013). The survey on teaching satisfaction showed that the scores of "improving learning motivation and initiative" were higher in the mixed teaching group and the virtual patient teaching group than in the CBL teaching group. The scores of "enhancing the ability to analyze problems" were higher in the mixed teaching group and CBL teaching group than in the virtual patient teaching group. The score of "deepening understanding of knowledge" was higher in the mixed teaching group than in the virtual patient teaching group. The score of "improving innovation ability" was higher in the mixed teaching group than in the CBL teaching group. Overall, students in the mixed teaching group showed the highest satisfaction. Conclusions:The teaching method combining virtual patient and CBL can more effectively enhance students' clinical thinking ability, promote self-learning, and improve teaching satisfaction, providing a new mode for teaching clinical thinking.

Objective:To investigate the significance of menstrual abnormalities in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) for the prediction of future combined metabolic syndrome (MS) and compare the differences in intestinal flora structure between patients with MS and those without.Methods:A case-control study was used to select 111 patients with PCOS who attended the outpatient clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Jinshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University between February 2021 and December 2023, and they were divided into the group of PCOS not combined with MS ( n=74, recorded as the NMS group) and the group of PCOS combined with MS ( n=37, recorded as the MS group). The menstrual-related information and stool specimens of all cases were collected to analyze the menstrual characteristics of the two groups and their predictive significance for PCOS combined with MS; and the intestinal flora of the two groups were analyzed by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. Results:The age of menstrual changes [(23.47±4.73) years], time of menstrual changes occurring after menarche [(9.85±5.11) years], and duration of menstrual changes [(3.43±2.78) years] in the NMS group were statistically significantly different when compared with those in the MS group [(20.71±3.61) years, P=0.020; (7.04±3.34) years, P=0.025; (7.63±3.47) years, P<0.001]. The rate of menstrual abnormality, scanty menstruation and amenorrhea were higher in the MS group than in the NMS group, and the difference in the ratio of the composition of the menstrual pattern between the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.036). The differences in the rates of menstrual abnormalities 8 years later after menarche between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05), and the ORs from 8 to 13 years after menarche were 2.76 (95% CI: 1.07-7.11), 3.68 (95% CI: 1.28-10.56), 3.27 (95% CI: 1.13-9.41), 3.07 (95% CI: 1.06-8.87), 4.20 (95% CI: 1.16-15.21), 11.57 (95% CI: 1.48-90.49), respectively; the difference in the rate of menstrual abnormality between the two groups with menstrual alteration duration of more than 4 years was also statistically significant (all P<0.05), and the ORs for menstrual alteration duration of 4-9 years were 8.89 (95% CI: 2.14-36.99), 11.88 (95% CI: 3.07-46.02), 16.56 (95% CI: 4.15-66.13), 11.25 (95% CI: 2.88-32.95), 7.80 (95% CI: 2.04-29.84), and 10.00 (95% CI: 1.91-52.48), respectively. The α-diversity index of intestinal flora was lower in the MS group than in the NMS group, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). At the phylum level, there was a statistically significant difference in the abundance of intestinal flora between the two groups ( P<0.001), the abundance of Bacteroidetes was lower in the MS group than in the NMS group, and the abundance of the Firmicutes was similar in the two groups. At the genus level, there was a statistically significant difference in the abundance of intestinal flora between the two groups ( P<0.001), the abundance of Bifidobacterium decreased and the abundance of Streptococcus and Escherichia increased in the MS group compared with those in the NMS group. Conclusion:Abnormal menstruation 8 years later after menarche in patients with PCOS is predictive of future MS, and its predictive effect increases with age, but does not change significantly with the duration of disease in abnormal menstruation. The structure of the intestinal flora of patients with MS in PCOS is indeed significantly different from that of those without MS.