BACKGROUND:The main component of cartilage, type Ⅱ col agen gene expression in chondrocyte is positively correlated with SOX9 concentration in a dose-dependent manner.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the variation of SOX9 and type Ⅱ col agen mRNA content at different periods in the differentiation process (osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic induction) of mesenchymal stem cel s, and to explore the correlation of SOX9 expression and type Ⅱ col agen.
METHODS:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were isolated from 4-week-old Kunming mice, and cultured in vitro to passage 3. The cel phenotype was identified with flow cytometry. Cel s were divided into three groups and subjected to three kinds of induction conditions favorable for adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation, and each group was observed at three time points. In addition, the non-induced cel s were used as a control group. The total RNA of cel s was extracted at 3, 7, 14 days after induction, and SOX9 and type Ⅱ col agen mRNA was quantified with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The induced cel s were stained by immunofluorescence to observe the differentiation and perform statistical analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Passage 3 bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s grew wel , and cel phenotype was confirmed as stem cel s by flow cytometry. The staining results showed that, the cel s differentiated into chondrocytes, adipocytes and osteoblasts. The SOX9 mRNA levels in the induced cel s were the highest in chondrogenic differentiation group, then in osteogenic differentiation group, and the lowest in adipogenic differentiation group. Type Ⅱ col agen mRNA levels in the induced cel s were the highest in chondrogenic differentiation group, then in adipogenic differentiation group, and the lowest in osteogenic differentiation group. SOX9 expression in chondrogenic differentiation group increased at 3 and 7 days, and then decreased at 14 days. While type Ⅱ col agen expression increased at 3, 7, 14 days. SOX9 mRNA levels increased as the osteogenic differentiation, while type Ⅱ col agen expression gradual y decreased. There was no significant difference in the SOX9 mRNA expression between adipogenic differentiation group and control group (P>0.05), while type Ⅱ col agen expression was not regularly changed. Experimental findings suggest that, critical effect of SOX9 in chondrogenic differentiation is better than that in osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. SOX9 is associated with type Ⅱcol agen, which may alter along with the SOX9 in the early chondrogenic differentiation;SOX9 may play a fine-tuning role in the process of chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation.

Objective To explore the safety and clinical effect of the human acellular nerve allograft (hANG) for repairing peripheral nerve defects.Methods During November,2009 to October,2010,6 patients with 3 digital nerve defects and 3 radial nerve defects were repaired with hANG.During postoperation period,safety was evaluated by local wound response and laboratory testing,while the efficacy was evaluated by British Medical Research Council sensory function assessment standards,static 2-point discrimination (2PD) and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing.Results Three patients with 6 digital nerve defects received hANG transplant.The length of nerve graft was 20-50 mm(mean 30.8 mm).After followed up for 31-40 months,the excellent rate of 2PD was 66.7％.Two of 3 patients rahabilited as well as the normal.Three patients with radial nerve defects,whose length of nerve graft was 35-60 mm(mean 48.3 mm).The strength of extensor carpiradialis longus muscle had restored Ⅲ in 1 case,and other 2 cases had no restoration.Conclusion hANG is safe and effective for repairing peripheral nerve defects,especially for digital nerve defects.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation of different glucose metabolism statues with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in middle-aged and elderly individuals in Lanzhou. METHODS: Based on the baseline data of REACTION Study in Lanzhou area, we randomly sampled 10 038 residents aged 40-75 years in 3 communities in Lanzhou, who were classified into normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and diabetes groups. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) were used to assess the renal function and albuminuria, respectively. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the contribution of the risk factors to CKD. Polynominal regression was used to determine the trends of eGFR with the increment of ACR. RESULTS: Among all the participants, the prevalences of albuminuria, CKD and renal insufficiency (RI) were 26.2%, 27.4% and 2.5%, respectively. The prevalence of albuminuria, CKD and RI were significantly higher in the diabetes group than in IGR and NGT groups ( CONCLUSIONS Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for albuminuria and RI, while IGR is not. Screening for albuminuria and eGFR is highly recommended for individuals with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, especially in women and the elderly population.
Adult ; Aged ; Albuminuria/epidemiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology* ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Glucose ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors