[Multi-scenario Simulation of Construction Land Expansion and Its Impact on Ecosystem Carbon Storage in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration].

It is of great practical significance for regional sustainable development and ecological construction to quantitatively analyze the impact of construction land expansion on terrestrial ecosystem carbon storage and to explore the optimization scheme of simulating construction land expansion to improve future ecosystem carbon storage. Based on the land use and cover change (LUCC) and other geospatial data of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration from 2000 to 2020, this study utilized the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model and the patch-generating land-use simulation (PLUS) model to assess and analyze the changes in ecosystem carbon stocks and spatial patterns regionally. In this study, we performed linear regression analysis to investigate the relationship between urban land expansion and changes in ecosystem carbon stocks for varying urban land proportion levels during two distinct time intervals, 2000-2010 and 2010-2020, which was conducted at a spatial resolution of 2 km. Three distinct urban land expansion scenarios were subjected to simulation to forecast the prospective land use pattern by 2030. Subsequently, we quantified the ramifications of these scenarios on ecosystem carbon stocks during the period from 2020 to 2030. The results were as follows:① In the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration, the ecosystem carbon stocks exhibited notable variations over the study period, with values of 2 088.02, 2 106.78, and 2 121.25 Tg recorded for the years 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively, resulting in a cumulative carbon sequestration of 33.23 Tg C during the study duration. It is noteworthy that forest carbon storage emerged as the dominant contributor, with an increase from 1 010.17 Tg in 2000 to 1 136.53 Tg in 2020. Throughout the study period, the spatial distribution of carbon stocks displayed relative stability. Regions characterized by lower carbon content were concentrated in the vicinity of the Bohai Rim region and in proximity to cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Shijiazhuang, as well as rural settlements. In contrast, grid units with moderate and high carbon stocks were predominantly situated in the western Taihang Mountain and the northern Yanshan Mountain. Additionally, there was a tendency of increasing carbon stocks in the Taihang Mountain and Yanshan Mountain region, whereas those surrounding major urban centers such as Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, and Tangshan experienced a notable decline in carbon stocks. Such reductions were most pronounced in regions undergoing urban land expansion during the study period. ② In grid units with an urban land proportion exceeding 10% at each level, a strong correlation was observed between urban land expansion and changes in carbon stocks during both the 2000-2010 and 2010-2020 periods. The changes in urban land proportion adequately explained the variations in carbon stocks. However, the explanatory power of urban land on carbon stocks decreased during the 2010-2020 period, indicating that other factors played a more substantial role in influencing carbon stocks during this time. The regression coefficients for both periods exhibited a fluctuating upward trend. In comparison to that during the 2000-2010 period, the impact of urban land expansion on carbon stocks was relatively smaller during 2010-2020, indicating a weakening influence. ③ In light of three distinct development scenarios, namely natural development (Scenario Ⅰ), a 15% reduction in the rate of urban land expansion (Scenario Ⅱ), and a 30% reduction in the rate of urban land expansion (Scenario Ⅲ), the projected ecosystem carbon stocks for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration in the year 2030 were estimated to be 2 129.12, 2 133.55, and 2 139.10 Tg, respectively. These projections indicated an increase of 7.88, 12.30, and 17.85 Tg in comparison to the current carbon stocks. All scenarios demonstrated that the terrestrial ecosystem would play a role of carbon sink, particularly with the greatest carbon sink observed in the scenario with a 30% reduction in urban land expansion. The fit performance between urban land expansion and carbon stock changes during the 2020-2030 period was significantly better than that during the 2000-2010 and 2010-2020 periods, and the regression coefficients showed a fluctuating increase with an increase in urban land proportion. Across grid units with different urban land proportion levels, the regression coefficients exhibited the order of Scenario Ⅰ < Scenario Ⅱ < Scenario Ⅲ. In pursuit of the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration should prioritize scenarios with reduced rates of urban land expansion, especially in regions with higher urban land proportions.

Autologous rib cartilage as implanted stiffener of phalloplasty: comparing three different methods.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining the length, rigidity, and appearance of a reconstructed phallus in the long term has been challenging for phalloplasty and may depend on choosing the optimal implanted stiffener. The aim of this study was to determine the best type of stiffener for a reconstructed phallus regarding aesthetic and functional parameters. METHODS: From 1987 to 2018, 376 individuals underwent phalloplasty at a single institution of which 81 met the following inclusion criteria: biological male gender, age between 18 and 60 years, radial forearm flap for tube-within-a-tube phalloplasty with rib cartilage and secondary glans sculpting and unimpaired urination preoperatively. Those were divided into three groups with regard to different types of autologous rib cartilage stiffener. A group with a cartilage strip, T-shaped cartilage, and mushroom-shaped cartilage group were evaluated regarding preserved length and aesthetic features of the phallus during a minimum period of 12 months. The rib cartilage length in the phallus was 10.5 cm in all groups. RESULTS: The length of the phallus was 10.8 ± 0.5 cm in the cartilage strip group, 11.3 ± 0.3 cm in the T-shaped cartilage group and 11.3 ± 0.3 cm in the mushroom-shaped cartilage group at 1-year postoperatively. The aesthetic appearance score of mushroom-shaped cartilage group was 1.67 ± 0.48, significantly higher than the cartilage strip group (1.38 ± 0.50, p = 0.03) at 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The mushroom-shaped autologous rib cartilage group showed superior length preservation and aesthetic appearance and appeared as the best type of stiffener for one-phase phalloplasty.

A biopsychosocial-cultural model for understanding oral-health-related quality of life among adolescent orthodontic patients.

BACKGROUND: Based on previous theoretical oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) models and most recently framework, as well as sociocultural model of body image dissatisfaction, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of individual (dental aesthetics and dental appearance social comparison) and sociocultural factors (social reinforcement from parents, peers and mass media on dental aesthetics) as well as their interaction on psychosocial dimension of OHRQoL among adolescent orthodontic patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study comprising 427 adolescent orthodontic patients (151 boys and 276 girls) aged between 11 and 16 years old, the psychosocial dimension of OHRQoL was measured by Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire. Individual predictor of dental aesthetics was defined by the Aesthetic Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need, and dental appearance social comparison was assessed by four items adapted from Physical Appearance Comparison Scale. Sociocultural predictor of social reinforcement was measured by six items adapted from Perceived Sociocultural Pressure Scale. Spearman correlations, path analyses, and structural equation modeling were used to build up several predictive models. RESULTS: As hypothesized, two direct pathways were observed that patients' dental aesthetics and all three sources of social reinforcement directly predicted the psychosocial dimension of OHRQoL. Meanwhile, we observed one indirect pathway, that three sources of social reinforcement predicted the psychosocial dimension of OHRQoL, in part, through dental appearance social comparison. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence indicating that dental aesthetics, social reinforcement and dental appearance comparison are reliable predictors of psychosocial dimension of OHRQoL among adolescent orthodontic patients.

Identification of three novel SRD5A2 mutations in Chinese patients with 5α-reductase 2 deficiency.

In this study, we investigated the genetics, clinical features, and therapeutic approach of 14 patients with 5α-reductase deficiency in China. Genotyping analysis was performed by direct sequencing of PCR products of the steroid 5α-reductase type 2 gene (SRD5A2). The 5α-reductase activities of three novel mutations were investigated by mutagenesis and an in vitro transfection assay. Most patients presented with a microphallus, variable degrees of hypospadias, and cryptorchidism. Eight of 14 patients (57.1%) were initially reared as females and changed their social gender from female to male after puberty. Nine mutations were identified in the 14 patients. p.G203S, p.Q6X, and p.R227Q were the most prevalent mutations. Three mutations (p.K35N, p.H162P, and p.Y136X) have not been reported previously. The nonsense mutation p.Y136X abolished enzymatic activity, whereas p.K35N and p.H162P retained partial enzymatic activity. Topical administration of dihydrotestosterone during infancy or early childhood combined with hypospadia repair surgery had good therapeutic results. In conclusion, we expand the mutation profile of SRD5A2 in the Chinese population. A rational clinical approach to this disorder requires early and accurate diagnosis, especially genetic diagnosis.

Bone morphogenetic protein 7 enhances the osteogenic differentiation of human dermal-derived CD105+ fibroblast cells through the Smad and MAPK pathways.

The skin, as the largest organ of the human body, is an important source of stromal stem cells with multipotent differentiation potential. CD105+ mesenchymal stem cells exhibit a higher level of stemness than CD105­ cells. In the present study, human dermal­derived CD105+ fibroblast cells (CD105+ hDDFCs) were isolated from human foreskin specimens using immunomagnetic isolation methods to examine the role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)­7 in osteogenic differentiation. Adenovirus­mediated recombinant BMP7 expression enhanced osteogenesis­associated gene expression, calcium deposition, and alkaline phosphatase activity. Investigation of the underlying mechanisms showed that BMP7 activated small mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) and p38/mitogen­activated protein kinase signaling in CD105+ hDDFCs. The small interfering RNA­mediated knockdown of Smad4 or inhibition of p38 attenuated the BMP7­induced enhancement of osteogenic differentiation. In an in vivo ectopic bone formation model, the adenovirus­mediated overexpression of BMP7 enhanced bone formation from CD105+ hDDFCs. Taken together, these data indicated that adenoviral BMP7 gene transfer in CD105+ hDDFCs may be developed as an effective tool for bone tissue engineering.

Increased BOLD Signals in dlPFC Is Associated With Stronger Self-Control in Food-Related Decision-Making.

Self-control is the ability to comply with a request, to postpone acting upon a desire object or goal, and to generate socially approved behavior in the absence of external monitors. Overeating is actually the failure in self-control while feeding. However, little is known about the brain function that allows individuals to consciously control their behavior in the context of food choice. To address this issue, we used functional MRI to measure brain activity among undergraduate young females. Forty-one undergraduate female students participated in the current study. Subjects underwent the food rating task, during which they rated each food item according to their subjective perception of its taste (from Dislike it very much to Like it very much), its long term effect on health (from very unhealthy to very healthy) and decision strength to eat it (from Strong no to Strong yes). Behavioral results indicate the positive correlation between taste rating and its corresponding decision strength to eat, no matter the food is high caloric or low. Moreover, health ratings of high caloric food was negatively correlated with DEBQ-emotional eating, and taste ratings of high caloric food was positively correlated with DEBQ-external eating. Whole brain analysis of fMRI data indicates that BOLD responses in dlPFC were positively correlated with successful self-control; BOLD responses in midcingulate cortex were positively correlated with failed self-control. This study provided direct evidence that dlPFC was involved in self-control in food-related choice.

Bone morphogenetic protein 7-transduced human dermal-derived fibroblast cells differentiate into osteoblasts and form bone in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Human dermal-derived fibroblast cells (hDDFCs) are multipotent. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a group of cytokines that promote different developmental processes, including the formation of bone. BMPs can promote hDDFC osteogenesis, but the role of BMP7 in hDDFC osteogenesis in vitro and bone formation in vivo has not been investigated in depth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: hDDFCs were stably transfected with a human BMP7 recombinant adenovirus and osteogenic differentiation was examined by alkaline phosphatase staining and calcium accumulation. In addition, we measured the expression of osteoblast-related genes. To examine osteogenesis in vivo, we injected C57BL/6 nude mice with adenovirus-transfected hDDFCs in a calcium alginate hydrogel and examined bone formation using soft X-ray, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: Our findings showed that adenovirus-mediated BMP7 expression promoted osteogenic differentiation of hDDFCs and enhanced expression of osteoblast-related genes in vitro. Cells infected with BMP7 adenoviruses showed enhanced bone formation and osteoblast-related gene expression in vivo after the injection of hDDFC-hydrogel mixture. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data indicate that BMP7 significantly promotes hDDFC osteogenesis, and confirm that infecting hDDFCs with BMP7-expressing adenoviruses is a useful tool for bone tissue engineering.

Eye Movement Study on Attention Bias to Body Height Stimuli in Height Dissatisfied Males.

The present study investigated attention bias in response to height-related words among young men in China. 47 [26 high height dissatisfied (HHD) and 21 low height dissatisfied (LHD)] men performed a dot-probe task. Eye movement (EM) recordings showed that compared to LHD men, HHD men had an avoidance bias in response to height-related words, which was revealed by less frequent first fixations on both tall-related and short-related words, and showed significantly shorter first fixations on short-related words. There was no other significant difference in EM indices (i.e., first fixation latency and gaze duration) between two groups. In addition, HHD participants were significantly slower than LHD participants when responding to probes preceded by short-related words, while there was no difference when probes were preceded by tall-related or neutral words. In sum, the present results indicate that HHD men selectively avoid cues related to short height.

A New Surgical Procedure for Penile Reconstruction by Combined Free Radial Forearm Flap and Dorsalis Pedis Flap.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new surgical procedure for penile reconstruction, emphasizing both the aesthetic appearance and the function by combined free radial forearm flap and dorsalis pedis flap. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this procedure, the penis was subdivided into 2 anatomic subunits: the penile shaft and the glans penis. A sequential innervated radial forearm free flap was combined with a dorsalis pedis free flap to reconstruct the penile shaft and the glans, separately. Cartilage prosthesis was implanted at the same time. Since May 2011, 14 biologically male patients with total penile losses by various reasons were treated with this procedure. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by questionnaire, and sensory testing was performed. RESULTS: The ages of the patients ranged between 21 and 53 years (mean, 35.2 years). The average follow-up period was 38.1 months (range, 25.5-56 months). Twenty-five flaps in 11 patients were 100% viable. One dorsalis pedis flap in a patient underwent partial necrosis. There were no cases of urethral fistula or urethral stenosis, but 1 case of prosthesis infection and 1 case of abdominal hernia were recorded. The sensation of the neophallus recovered 3-6 months after surgery, and the patient satisfaction rate was quite high. CONCLUSION: The new surgical procedure of combined free radial forearm flap and dorsalis pedis flap for penile reconstruction achieves both satisfactory aesthetic and functional results. We recommend this procedure as an alternative ideal method for total penile reconstruction.

Phenotypic and molecular characteristics in eleven Chinese patients with 5α-reductase Type 2 deficiency.

CONTEXT: Steroid 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency (5α-RD2) is a male-limited, autosomal recessive inherited disease. Affected 46, XY individuals usually present with ambiguous genitalia at birth. An early and precise diagnosis is of great value to the long-term prognosis of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features and molecular determinants in 11 Chinese patients with the SRD5A2 gene mutation and to investigate the functional alteration arising from a novel splicing site mutation identified in one of the patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eleven subjects born with abnormal external genitalia from 10 unrelated families were recruited. Among them, nine patients who were reared as girls underwent virilization and gender change after puberty. Genotyping analysis of the SRD5A2 gene was performed in each of the patients. Haplotype analysis was performed in five patients with a prevalent mutation of p.G203S to illustrate the founder effect in China. Functional impairment of the new variant was explored by an in vitro splicing study and enzymatic activity assay. RESULTS: Nine mutations in the SRD5A2 gene were detected in the eleven patients. In addition to the previously reported p.G203S, p.R227Q, p.N193S, p.R246Q, p.Q6X, p.A228V, c.655delT and IVS1-2 A>G, a novel splicing site mutation (IVS4 + 2 T>C) was identified. From an in vitro functional study, this mutation was found to result in a skipping of exon 4 in the course of mRNA splicing, leading to a truncated protein of 205 amino acids that lacks the catalysing activity. Two siblings with the same compound heterozygous mutation (IVS1-2A>G/p.G203S) exhibited differing phenotypes and opposite patterns of gender rearing. A prevalent variation p.V89L combined with c.655delT was revealed to cause a mild phenotype of 5α-RD2 with a micropenis. CONCLUSION: This cohort study describes the phenotypic, biochemical and long-term outcome in 11 Chinese patients with 5α-RD2 deficiency and defines the genotypic spectrum of SRD5A2 mutations in China.

Prevalence and correlates of chronic pain in a random population study of adults in Chongqing, China.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous studies have documented rates of chronic pain in developed western nations; however, little is known about its prevalence or correlates in rapidly developing countries, where much of the world's population lives. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of chronic pain among adults in Chongqing, China and the correlates of chronicity among respondents with pain and degree of impairment within the subgroup reporting chronic pain. DESIGN: A structured telephone interview was used within a cross-sectional design. Chronic pain was defined as the pain that had persisted for ≥3 months. PARTICIPANTS: Adults from a random sample of 1003 Chongqing households completed a structured telephone interview on pain experiences of themselves and other family members over the past 6 months. RESULTS: Overall, 42.2% of interviewees reported pain for at least 1 day during the past 6 months and 25.8% experienced pain lasting for at least 3 months. The most common complaints were back pain (17.6%), headache (14.2%), joint pain, (10.5%), and abdominal pain (10.4%). Among those who reported pain, correlates of a chronic duration included older age, presence of back pain, heightened impairment, use of Chinese medicine, and greater numer of interventions used for pain management. For interviewees whose pain was chronic, increased functional impairment was related to older age, presence of pain every day, and increased likelihood of consulting physicians and using Chinese medicine to manage pain. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of chronic pain in Chongqing appear to approximate to those reported in western countries. A significant minority of those affected report substantial or severe impairment and are more likely than less impaired cohorts to have sought medical interventions to manage pain.

A splice site mutation combined with a novel missense mutation of LHCGR cause male pseudohermaphroditism.

Leydig cell hypoplasia (LCH) is a rare form of male pseudohermaphroditism caused by inactivating mutations in the luteinizing hormone receptor gene (LHCGR). The majority of LHCGR mutations are located in the coding sequence, resulting in impairment of either LH/CG binding or signal transduction. We report a Chinese family with two siblings (46, XY and 46, XX) carrying a missense mutation (c. 455 T>C, p. Ile152Thr) and a splice site mutation (c. 537-3 C>A). Computational analysis of the missense mutation in the three-dimensional structural model predicted it might influence the distribution of hydrogen bonds and intermolecular contacts between the hormone and receptor. Consistent with these findings, in vitro mutant analysis revealed a marked impairment of human chorionic gonadotropin binding and signal transduction. The splice-acceptor mutation (c. 537-3 C>A) resulted in abnormal splicing of LHCGR mRNA, skipping exon 7. This report expands the genotypic spectrum of LHCGR mutations, with relevant implications for the molecular analysis of this gene.

[An experimental study on influence of concentration of fetal bovine serum on chondrogenesis of BMSCs].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the chondrogenetic effect of induce media containing different concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS) on BMSCs differentiation in vitro and provide technical parameters for cartilage engineering in vitro. METHODS: Passage 2 BMSCs of swine were seeded at the density of 5 x 10(7) cells/cm3 to disc-shaped PGA scaffolds with a diameter of 5mm and a thickness of 2mm. After 7days, the scaffolds were induced in media with TGF-beta1, IGF-I, dexamethasone, and different concentrations of FBS: 0% in A group, 5% in B group, and 10% in C group. Specimens were collected after 8 weeks for gross observation, size evaluation, wet weight, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, histology assessment, and immunohistology of type II collagen. RESULTS: The compound of C group showed china-white color, hard and fine texture, no obvious change in size and shape, typical lacuna structures, cartilage specific ECM, and significantly higher wet weight and GAG content. The compound of B group showed reduced size, fewer lacuna structures and some cartilage specific ECM. And the compound of A group showed greatly reduced size, soft and loose texture, and no typical lacuna structure or cartilage specific ECM. CONCLUSIONS: FBS was indispensable to chondrogenetic media for in-vitro tissue engineering of cartilage with BMSCs.

[Influence of transforming growth factor-beta1 inducing time on chondrogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs): in vitro experiment with porcine BMSCs].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 inducing time on the chondrogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC), and on the construction of tissue engineering cartilage. METHODS: BMSCs were obtained from the greater trochanters of 3 pigs, cultured, seeded onto the cylindrical scaffolds made of polyglycolic acid at the density of 5.0 x 10(7) cells/ml, and then cultured with chondrogenesis media containing TGF-beta(1) (10 ng/ml), insulin-like growth factor-I (50 microg/L), and dexamethasone (40 microg/L) to be induced by TGF-beta(1) for 2 weeks (Group A), 4 weeks (Group B), 6 weeks (Group C), 8 weeks (Group D), or 10 weeks (Group E) respectively. 10 weeks later the cylindrical scaffolds underwent gross observation and histological examination. Alcin blue method was used to examine the content of proteoglycan (GAG). Immunochemistry and Western blotting were used to examine the type II collagen. The cylindrical scaffolds underwent biomechanical analysis. RESULTS: HE staining showed cartilage lacunae increasing in number from the periphery to center of the cylindrical scaffolds with the extended inducing time, and were arranged more uniformly progressively. Histochemical staining showed GAG accumulation. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed that the content of type II collagen increased gradually, the amount of type II collagen stabilized after 6 weeks' culture, and there was no significant difference in the content of type II collagen between Group C and Group E. Biomechanical analysis showed that the modulus of elasticity and compression strength of the groups induced for more than 6 weeks (Groups C, D, and E) were all higher then those of Groups and B. CONCLUSION: TGF-beta(1) inducing time is correlated with the cartilage engineering characteristics with BMSC as seed cells. Induction for 6 weeks helps construct tissue engineered cartilage with good tissue structure, chemical composition and biomechanical properties.

[Effect of adeno-BMP7 transfection on osteogenesis of BMSCs].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of adeno-BMP7 transfection on the biology of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). METHODS: Bone marrow was obtained from the goat. The BMSCs were isolated and cultured at the second passage. Once the cells attached and formed a monolayer with 70%-80% confluency, adeno-BMP7 (M.O.I. = 100) was added to the cells. After three days, calcium node was examined with staining; cell-coral compound was replanted subcutaneously. RESULTS: With adeno-BMP7 transfection, BMP7 expression was detected with Western-blot; big calcium nodes were observed with staining. New bone formation was enhanced, which was evaluated by X-ray and histological examinations. CONCLUSIONS: BMSCs transfected with adeno-BMP7 show much stronger osteogenic ability.

[Cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein 1 initiates chondrogenic differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors influencing the differentiation of fibroblasts into chondrocyte phenotype induced by a growth factor, cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein 1 (CDMP1). METHODS: Fibroblasts isolated from foreskin obtained during circumcision were cultured in the forms of micromass and monolayer culture. The culture fluid of the fibroblasts at the passage 2, 7, and 10 was added with CDMP1 of the concentrations at the concentrations of 10, 30, 100, and 300 ng/ml respectively and co-cultured for 7 days. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR), activin receptor-like kinase (ALK) receptor, collagen types II, IV, and X before and after CDMP1 induction. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of collagen types II, a transcriptional factor Sox9, and aggrcan before and after the induction. Flow cytometry was used to detect the superficial markers CD29, CD105, CD106, and CD166, and the expression of collagen types I and II. RESULTS: Western blotting showed that the collagen type II positive cell rate in the passage 5 cells was 74.3% +/- 0.4%, not significantly different from that of the passage 2 cells (73.4% + 0.5%). When the concentrations of CDMP1 were 10 and 30 ng/ml no expression of aggrecan and collagen type II was detected, When the concentrations of CDMP1 was 100 and 300 ng/ml, the expression of aggrecan and collagen type II could be detected and without significant differences between these 2 concentrations. The expression of aggrcan and collagen type II mRNA disappeared in the monolayer cultured P2 and P5 fibroblasts induced by CDMP1 for 14 days, However, RT-PCR and Western blotting showed expression of collagen type II, aggrcan and SOX9 in the micromass cultured fibroblasts. RT-PCR showed that all fibroblasts cultured in vitro expressed ActR-I/ALK-2, BMPR-IA/ALK-3, and BMPR-IB/ALK-6 genes, and the expression of these genes significantly increased after CDMP1 for 7 days. CONCLUSION: CDMP1 stimulates the human dermal fibroblasts expanded in vitro to differentiate into chondrogenic phenotype in a dose dependent manner. Three-dimensional culture environments accelerate the chondrogenic differentiation. The expression of ALK receptors may involve the CDMP1 stimulated differentiation of fibroblasts.

Relationship standards and marital satisfaction in Chinese and American couples.

Samples of urban community couples in Shanghai, China, and suburban U.S. couples were administered measures of relationship adjustment and personal standards regarding characteristics of couple relationships. There were few gender differences in adherence to relationship standards but many differences between Chinese and U.S. couples. Fewer cultural differences existed in degree of couple consensus on relationship standards, but both adherence to standards and couple consensus on standards were associated with partners' levels of marital adjustment. Implications of the findings for clinical assessment and intervention with distressed couples, in particular for Western therapists working with Chinese couples whose standards may conflict with goals and methods of couple therapy, are discussed.