Repressing of SOX6 and SOX9 in situ chondrogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells

Introduction: SOX9 is a transcriptional activator which is necessary for chondrogenesis. SOX6 are closely related to DNA-binding proteins that critically enhance its function. Therefore, to carry out the growth plate chondrocyte differentiation program, SOX9 and SOX6 collaborate genomewide. Chondrocyte differentiation is also known to be promoted by glucocorticoids through unknown molecular mechanisms

Methods: We investigated the effects of asynthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone [DEX], on SOX9 gene expression in chondrocytes

Results: SOX9 mRNA was expressed at high levels in these chondrocytes. Treatment with DEX resulted in enhancement of SOX9 mRNA expression. The DEX effect was dose dependent [0·5 nM and 1 nM]

Conclusion: RT-PCR analysis revealed that DEX also enhanced the levels of SOX9 expression. It was observed that DEX had enhancing effect only on SOX9 the expression level was low for SOX6. It can thus be concluded that chondrocyte differentiation can be promoted by DEX via SOX9 enhancement

Neuro-otologic manifestations of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis [MS] has numerous neurologic signs and symptoms, including hearing impairment. The reports concerning the type and severity of hearing loss in MS patients vary and little is known about an association of the disease characteristics with changes in hearing status. To find the otologic and neuro-otologic manifestations of MS with the use of routine hearing assessment tools. The presence of neuro-otologic signs and symptoms were studied in 30 patients diagnosed with MS. Patients underwent pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry and acoustic brain stem response [ABR] tests. The results were compared with 30 healthy age and sex matched controls. The most common finding was sensory-neural hearing loss followed by dizziness and nystagmus. The shape of the audiogram and severity of hearing loss was associated with both chronicity and disease activity. There were abnormal latencies in ABR waves which were more significant with high velocity stimulus. Hearing status deserves careful attention in MS patients. It may be used as a diagnostic means or an indicator for evaluating the characteristics of the underlying disease

Sinonasal hemangiopericytoma: a case report

Hemangiopericytoma is a vascular tumor that is rarely seen in the nose and paranasal sinuses. Biological behavior of these tumors is not completely known, and their natural history is not predictable. This case report presents a patient with a sinonasal hemangiopericytoma. Diagnosis and management of these uncommon tumors is discussed