Calcium-activated chloride channels(CaCCs)are a class of channel proteins that trans-port chloride ions activated by intracellular calcium,which play a crucial role in regulating membrane potential,intracellular calcium balance,and cell excitability,particularly in neurons and muscle cells.In the Anoctamin(Ano)family,Ano1 is the most classic CaCC.Targeted modulators of Ano1 have poten-tial therapeutic effects against such diseases as cancer,cystic fibrosis,hypertension,diarrhea,and asthma.Since the discovery of Ano1 in 2008,several methods for screening CaCC-specific modulators have emerged including high-throughput primary screening of fluorescent proteins,electrophysiological patch clamp technique and virtual screening,and identification of small molecule modulators with diverse pharmacological effects.This paper summarizes the principles,advantages and disadvantages of the mainstream screening methods,and reviews the chemical structures and potential applications of Ano1-specific modulators discovered to date.

Objective To explore the short-term and long-term efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) under microscopic assistance for patients with focal ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Methods A total of 105 patients with focal OPLL treated between February 2020 and February 2022 were retrospectively selected. They were divided into microscope group (n=56) and conventional group (n=49) based on whether ACDF was assisted by microscopy. Perioperative indicators, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores, spinal canal cross-sectional area at the narrowest point, anteroposterior diameter of the spinal cord, cervical range of motion, intervertebral height, joint function[Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) cervical spine disease score and Neck Disability Index (NDI)], and occurrence of complication were observed. Results The average operative time and average hospital stay in the microscope group were shorter than those in the conventional group[(141.85±18.35) min and (10.18±1.58) d versus (159.46±21.42) min and (12.03±1.82) d, P < 0.05]. The average intraoperative blood loss in the microscope group was (80.65±7.28) mL, which was less than that (103.52±10.43) mL in the conventional group (P < 0.05). The VAS score and SF-36 score at six months postoperatively were better in the microscope group compared to the conventional group [(2.82±0.53) and (79.56±5.68) versus (3.51±0.60) and (72.35±4.77), respectively, P < 0.05]. Spinal canal area and anteroposterior diameter of the spinal cord between the two groups postoperatively showed statistically significant differences [(138.24±24.32) mm versus (123.62±18.74) mm, (5.42±0.46) mm versus (4.73±0.51) mm, P < 0.05]. The cervical range of motion at six months postoperatively in the microscope group showed significant difference compared with that in the conventional group[(25.21±3.37) °versus (28.65±3.56) °, P < 0.05]. The complication rate in the microscope group was lower than that in the conventional group (5.36% versus 18.37%, P < 0.05). Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) and National Death Index (NDI) scores showed statistically significant between-group and time-point difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion Microscopic assistance during ACDF for focal OPLL provides a clear field of vision and facilitates effective decompression of the spinal cord by using a drill to remove and thin the ossified focus, thereby improving short-term pain and joint function while reducing the risk of spinal cord injury and other complications.

OBJECTIVES: Nerve growth factor (NGF) induces neuron transdifferentiation of adrenal medulla chromaffin cells (AMCCs) and consequently downregulates the secretion of epinephrine (EPI), which may be involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Mammalian achaete scute-homologous 1 (MASH1), a key regulator of neurogenesis in the nervous system, has been proved to be elevated in AMCCs with neuron transdifferentiation in vivo. This study aims to explore the role of MASH1 in the process of neuron transdifferentiation of AMCCs and the mechanisms. METHODS: Rat AMCCs were isolated and cultured. AMCCs were transfected with siMASH1 or MASH1 overexpression plasmid, then were stimulated with NGF and/or dexamethasone, PD98059 (a MAPK kinase-1 inhibitor) for 48 hours. Morphological changes were observed using light and electron microscope. Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT, the key enzyme for epinephrine synthesis) and tyrosine hydroxylase were detected by immunofluorescence. Western blotting was used to test the protein levels of PNMT, MASH1, peripherin (neuronal markers), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinases (pERK), and JMJD3. Real-time RT-PCR was applied to analyze the mRNA levels of MASH1 and JMJD3. EPI levels in the cellular supernatant were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: Cells with both tyrosine hydroxylase and PNMT positive by immunofluorescence were proved to be AMCCs. Exposure to NGF, AMCCs exhibited neurite-like processes concomitant with increases in pERK/ERK, peripherin, and MASH1 levels (all P<0.05). Additionally, impairment of endocrine phenotype was proved by a signifcant decrease in the PNMT level and the secretion of EPI from AMCCs (all P<0.01). MASH1 interference reversed the effect of NGF, causing increases in the levels of PNMT and EPI, conversely reduced the peripherin level and cell processes (all P<0.01). MASH1 overexpression significantly increased the number of cell processes and peripherin level, while decreased the levels of PNMT and EPI (all P<0.01). Compared with the NGF group, the levels of MASH1, JMJD3 protein and mRNA in AMCCs in the NGF+PD98059 group were decreased (all P<0.05). After treatment with PD98059 and dexamethasone, the effect of NGF on promoting the transdifferentiation of AMCCs was inhibited, and the number of cell processes and EPI levels were decreased (both P<0.05). In addition, the activity of the pERK/MASH1 pathway activated by NGF was also inhibited. CONCLUSIONS MASH1 is the key factor in neuron transdifferentiation of AMCCs. NGF-induced neuron transdifferentiation is probably mediated via pERK/MASH1 signaling.
Animals ; Rats ; Adrenal Medulla ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; Chromaffin Cells ; Dexamethasone ; Epinephrine/pharmacology* ; Mammals ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Neurons ; Peripherins ; Protein Kinases ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Objective:To investigate the value of the vesical imaging reporting and data system score (VI-RADS) in the prognostic assessment of patients with bladder cancer.Methods:The data of 294 patients with pathologically confirmed bladder cancer in our department from February 2012 to September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Divide the patients into two groups based on the surgical method. In the transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) group, there were 121 cases, 102 males and 19 females; The average age of the patients was (66.7±12.3) years old, 52 cases <65 years old, 69 cases ≥65 years old, with VI-RADS <3 in 84 cases, VI-RADS ≥3 in 37 cases. In the radical cystectomy (RC) group, there were 173 cases, including 154 males and 19 females; The average age of the patients was (65.7±10.8) years, 77 cases <65 years old, 96 cases ≥65 years old, with VI-RADS <3 in 51 cases and VI-RADS ≥3 in 122 cases. The prognostic factors of TURBT group and RC group were analyzed, and the predictive value of VI-RADS score on overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) of bladder cancer patients after surgery was analyzed.Results:In this study, there were 294 cases with postoperative pathological diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma. The pathological staging was Ta stage in 104 cases (35.4%), T 1stage in 82 cases (27.9%), T 2 stage in 58 cases (19.7%), T 3 stage in 34 cases (11.6%), and T 4stage in 16 cases (5.4%). Pathological grading: 11 cases (3.7%) were low malignant potential, 77 cases (26.2%) were low grade, and 206 cases (70.1%) were high grade. There were 186 cases (63.3%) in the NMIBC group and 108 cases (36.7%) in the MIBC group. In the TURBT group, there were 114 cases (94.2%) in the NMIBC group and 7 cases (5.8%) in the MIBC group; In the RC group, there were 72 cases (41.6%) in the NMIBC group and 101 cases (58.4%) in the MIBC group. In the NMIBC group, the VI-RADS<3 and ≥3 were 128 cases (68.8%) and 58 cases (31.2%), respectively ( P<0.01); In the MIBC group, 101 cases (93.5%) had a VI-RADS <3 and 7 cases (6.5%) had a VI-RADS ≥ 3, respectively ( P<0.01). In the high grade of postoperative pathological group, 62 cases (30.1%) had a VI-RADS <3 and 144 cases (69.9%) had a VI-RADS ≥ 3, respectively ( P<0.01); In the non-high grade of postoperative pathological group, the VI-RADS <3 and ≥ 3 were 73 cases (83.0%) and 15 cases (17.0%), respectively ( P<0.01). The median OS survival for all patients in this study was 27.4 (16.6, 38.1)months and the median PFS survival was 24.7(14.0, 36.8) months. The results of univariate analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years old (OS: HR=6.09, P=0.001; PFS: HR=1.71, P=0.035), postoperative pathological diagnosis of tumor muscle infiltration (OS: HR=4.66, P<0.01; PFS: HR=2.24, P=0.001), postoperative high-grade tumor (OS: HR=4.26, P=0.008; PFS: HR=1.92, P=0.023), and VI-RADS score ≥ 3 (OS: HR=4.24, P=0.001; PFS: HR=2.21, P=0.002) were associated with poorer OS and PFS in patients. Multifactorial Cox model analysis revealed that a score of VI-RADS ≥3 was an independent risk factor for OS ( HR=3.41, P=0.012) and PFS ( HR=2.23, P=0.016). In the TURBT group, univariate analysis found that VI-RADS ≥3 ( HR=2.05, P=0.053) and high grade of postoperative pathology ( HR=2.77, P=0.005) were associated with poor PFS in patients, multifactorial Cox model analysis found only high grade of postoperative pathology ( HR=2.54, P=0.013) to be an independent risk factor for PFS. In the RC group, VI-RADS ≥3 ( HR=3.29, P=0.032) and age ≥65 years ( HR=5.37, P=0.001) were found to be independent risk factors for OS. The survival curve showed that the 5-year OS rates for groups with a VI-RADS ≥ 3 and <3 were 93.9% and 73.1%, respectively ( P<0.01), and the 5-year PFS rates for groups with a VI-RADS ≥ 3 and <3 were 76.5% and 53.0%, respectively ( P<0.01), with statistically significant differences. Conclusions:This study showed that VI-RADS ≥3 was an independent risk factor for prognosis in patients with bladder cancer and was more significant in patients receiving RC, but was not a significant predictor of prognosis in patients receiving TURBT.

Objective To analyze the changes in morphology of intervertebral foramina in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) treated with fixedpoint lateral flexion and rotation manipulation based on three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technology, so as to provide references for the effectiveness of manipulation treatment. MethodsForty patients with CSR were treated with fixed point lateral flexion and rotation manipulation once every other day for a total of 7 times and 2 weeks as a course of treatment. CT data of the patients before and after treatment were analyzed by using multifunctional CT, Mimics 21.0, Geomagic and SolidWorks 2017. The area of the intervertebral foramen, anterior and posterior diameter of the intervertebral foramen, upper and lower diameter of the intervertebral foramen were measured before and after treatment, as well as the infrared thermal imaging temperature differences of the bilateral neck and shoulder, front and back of the upper limb, and the VAS scores of the patients were observed before treatment, 7 d after treatment, 14 d after treatment and 1 month follow-up. Results Foraminal area, anterior and posterior diameters, upper and lower diameters of 40 patients were improved after treatment, and the temperature differences of infrared thermal imaging of patients before and after treatment were statistically significant. The VAS score of the patients decreased progressively. Conclusions Fixed point lateral flexion manipulation can significantly improve the shape of the intervertebral foramen in patients with CSR, so as to achieve the treatment purpose of relieving nerve compression.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and clinical results of absorbable antibacterial calcium sulfate combined with tissue flaps in the treatment of traumatic calcaneal osteomyelitis (CO) secondary to skin and soft tissue defects in children.Methods:From January 2007 to August 2020, 44 cases of children with heel skin and soft tissue defects associated with traumatic CO were treated and followed up effectively in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University.Among them, 17 cases were treated with absorbable calcium sulfate cement combined with tissue flaps as the calcium sulfate group, and 27 cases were treated with antibiotic polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bead combined with tissue flaps as the membrane induction group.A comparison was drawn on the therapeutic effect, recurrence rate of postoperative infection, postoperative ankle mobility, number of operations, total length of hospital stays and hospitalization expenses between both groups.Results:The average follow-up time was 10.7 months in the calcium sulfate cement group and 9.3 months in the membrane induction group.All flaps were effective except for 3 cases who presented with small necrosis on the distal end of the sural neurovascular flaps.The recurrence rate of postoperative infection and the hospitalization expenses in the calcium sulfate group were lower than those in the membrane induction group, but the differences were not statically significant (all P>0.05). The postoperative ankle mobility [(63.6±9.3)°], number of operations [2(1.0, 2.0) times] and total length of hospital stay [6.1(4.5, 7.4) weeks] of the calcium sulfate group were significantly lower than those of the membrane induction group [(57.7±9.5)°, 2(2.0, 3.0) times, 7.0(5.0, 9.0) weeks], the difference were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Severe CO may cause structural damage to calcaneal tubercle or insertion site of achilles tendon, but the active plantar flexion function of ankles will be good despite the decrease in strength. Conclusions:The effect of absorbable antibacterial calcium sulfate cement combined with tissue flaps in the treatment of traumatic CO in children is favorable, and the number of operations, length of hospital stays and hospitalization expenses are relatively less compared with PMMA cement combined with tissue flaps.

Objective    To assess outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for pure native aortic valve regurgitation. Methods    A total of 129 patients underwent transfemoral TAVR in Fuwai Hospital from May 2019 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 83 males and 46 females with an average age of 72.26±8.97 years. The patients were divided into a pure native aortic valve regurgitation group (17 patients) and an aortic valve stenosis group (112 patients). Results    The incidence of valve in valve was higher in the pure native aortic valve regurgitation group (47.0% vs. 16.1%, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in conversion to surgery, intraoperative use of extracorporeal circulation, intraoperative left ventricular rupture, postoperative use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), peripheral vascular complications, disabled stroke, death, or pacemaker implantation. There was no statistical difference in the diameter of annulus (25.75±2.21 mm vs. 24.70±2.90 mm, P=0.068) or diameter of outflow tract (25.82±3.75 mm vs. 25.37±3.92 mm, P=0.514) between the pure native aortic valve regurgitation group and the aortic valve stenosis group. Conclusion    Transfemoral TAVR is a feasible method for patients with pure native aortic valve regurgitation. The diameter of annulus plane, the diameter of outflow tract and the shape of outflow tract should be evaluated.

Objective:To explore the effect of functional electrical stimulation on cognition and on the expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synaptophysin (SYN) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) using a rat model of vascular dementia.Methods:Ninety pathogen-free male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a placebo stimulation group and an electrical stimulation group. Both the placebo and electrical stimulation groups underwent bilateral occlusion of the common carotid artery to establish a model of vascular dementia. In the sham operation group the arteries were exposed without occlusion. Each group was then sub-divided into 3, 7 and 14 days subgroups with 10 rats in each subgroup. Beginning seven days after the surgery, the rats in the electrical stimulation group were given 30-minutes of stimulation every day while those in the sham operation group and the placebo stimulation group were given false electrical stimulation. After 3, 7 or 14 days the rats′ cognitive functioning was quantified using the Morris water maze test. The rats were then sacrificed and the expression of BDNF mRNA was measured using in situ hybridization. MAP2 and SYN levels were quantified immunohistochemically.Results:After 14 days the average latency in the placebo stimulation group was significantly longer than in the other groups. On the sixth day the average time in the target zone among the placebo stimulation group was significantly shorter than the other two groups′ averages. After only 3 days of simulation, the average expression of BDNF mRNA in the CA1 area of the hippocampus was significantly lower in the placebo stimulation group than among the others. After 7 days of stimulation the placebo group′s average was significantly lower than that of the sham operation group. The average expression of MAP2 had decreased significantly in the placebo stimulation group compared with the other two groups after 7 and 14 days of simulation. After 7 days the average expression of SYN in the placebo stimulation group was significantly lower than in the sham operation group, and after 14 days it was significantly lower than in the other two groups.Conclusions:Functional electrical stimulation may improve learning and memory in rats modelling vascular dementia through increasing BDNF, SYN and MAP2 expression levels.

Objective:To investigate the effects of combined exposure of fluorine, arsenic, and fluorine-arsenic on the signaling pathway related protein expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-related factor 6 (TRAF-6)/nuclear factor κB1(NF-κB1) in a co-culture system of mouse osteoblasts MC3T3-E1 and mouse monocyte macrophage RAW264.7.Methods:MC3T3-E1 cells were co-cultured with RAW264.7 cells after induction with osteogenic inducers. The cells were cultured for 7 days in vitro, and different doses of sodium fluoride (0.0, 0.1, 0.4, 1.6 mmol/L NaF, F), sodium arsenite (0.0, 0.5, 2.5, 12.5 μmol/L NaAsO 2, As) and different doses of fluorine and arsenic were added to the culture medium and cultured for 24 h using factorial design. The expression levels of nuclear factor κB receptor activating factor (RANK), TRAF-6, NF-κB1, T cell activating factor (NFATc1), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) protein were detected by Western blotting. Results:When fluorine was used alone, compared with the control group (F 0.0As 0.0, 1.00 ± 0.00), the expressions of RANK, NF-κB1 and TRAP proteins (1.11 ± 0.04, 1.29 ± 0.05, 1.38 ± 0.04, 1.24 ± 0.04, 1.13 ± 0.03, 1.34 ± 0.05, 1.12 ± 0.03, 1.24 ± 0.04, 1.61 ± 0.06) were increased ( P < 0.05); TRAF-6 protein expressions in F 0.1 and F 1.6 groups (1.23 ± 0.04, 1.35 ± 0.03) were increased ( P < 0.05). When arsenic was used alone, compared with the control group (F 0.0As 0.0), the expressions of RANK, TRAF-6, NF-κB1 proteins were increased in As 0.5 group ( P < 0.05), the expressions of RANK and NFATc1 proteins were reduced in As 12.5 group ( P < 0.05). When fluorine was combined with arsenic, at the same dose of fluorine, RANK protein expression in F 0.1As 0.5 group and TRAF-6 protein expression in F 0.1As 12.5, F 0.4As 0.5, F 0.4As 2.5 groups, NF-κB1 protein expression in F 0.1As 0.5 F 0.4As 2.5, F 0.4As 12.5 groups, NFATc1 protein expression in F 0.1As 0.5 and F 0.4As 0.5 groups, TRAP protein expression in F 0.1As 12.5 group were higher than the corresponding fluorine groups alone (F 0.1, F 0.4, P < 0.05), but lower than the sum of fluorine and arsenic alone. At the same dose of arsenic, RANK protein expression in F 0.1As 12.5 group, TRAF-6 protein expression in F 0.1As 12.5 and F 0.4As 2.5 groups, and NF-κB1 protein expression in F 0.1As 12.5, F 0.4As 2.5, F 0.4As 12.5, and F 1.6As 2.5 groups, TRAP protein expression in F 1.6As 2.5 and F 1.6As 12.5 groups were higher than the corresponding arsenic groups alone (As 2.5, As 12.5, P < 0.05), but lower than the sum of fluorine and arsenic alone. Fluorine had a major effect on the expressions of RANK, TRAF-6, NF-κB1, NFATc1, and TRAP proteins ( F=3.41, 341.73, 66.01, 56.49, 147.40, P < 0.05); arsenic also had a main effect on all protein indicators ( F=686.71, 174.96, 107.32, 235.80, 331.37, P < 0.05); the combined effect of fluorine and arsenic had an interaction effect on each protein indicator ( F=50.39, 234.94, 116.72, 67.77, 36.56, P < 0.05). Conclusions:In the co-culture system of MC3T3-E1 and RAW264.7 cells, fluorine can activate TRAF-6-mediated expression of NF-κB1 signaling pathway-related proteins, thereby promoting osteoclast differentiation; the effects of arsenic on the expression of related proteins are not completely consistent. The interaction of fluorine and arsenic exposure on TRAF-6-mediated expression of NF-κB1 signaling pathway-related proteins is mainly antagonistic.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of pretreatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio(NLR) in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyze 420 patients who received thoracic radiotherapy alone, sequential chemoraiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced stage NSCLC from January 2007 to December 2010 of our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups (high NLR group and low NLR group) with appropriate cutoff point using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve method. The survival curve was established by Kaplan-Meier method. The Log-rank test was used to compare the survival of the two NLR groups and the multivariate analysis was carried out by Cox regression model. Results: Among the 420 patients, 99 received radiotherapy alone, 139 received sequential chemoradiotherapy and 182 received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. 345 patients died and 75 were still alive. The median follow-up time was 5.2 years and the median overall survival was 22 months. The cut-off value of pretreatment NLR was 2.1. The 5-year PFS and OS rates in high NLR group and low NLR group were 10.6% vs 15.7% (P=0.033) and 15.5% vs 22.7% (P=0.012). Multivariate analysis confirmed that pretreatment NLR (hazard ratio 1.06, P=0.041) was independent prognostic factor of OS. Conclusions Our study revealed that the pretreatment NLR is the independent prognostic factor of OS in patients with locally advanced stage NSCLC treated with thoracic radiotherapy. However, NLR is still greatly influenced by patient′s condition and treatment which needs further research.