Comparative Study of the Clinical Pathology, Immunophenotype, Epstein-Barr Virus Infection Status, and Gene Rearrangements in Adult and Child Patients With Hydroa Vacciniforme-Like Lymphoproliferative Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Hydroa vacciniforme-like lymphoproliferative disorder (HVLPD) is a rare Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoma that mainly affects children. OBJECTIVES: To examine the similarities and differences in the clinical pathological features, EBV infection status, and gene rearrangements in adults and children patients with HVLPD. METHODS: We compared the clinical manifestations, histopathology, immunophenotypical features, EBV infection status, and T-cell receptor gene rearrangements in the adult and children HVLPD groups. RESULTS: Clinical manifestations differed between children and adults groups. The children were characterized by blisters and severe facial swelling, whereas the adults were characterized by mild facial swelling and papules. Mosquito bite was significantly related to morbidity in the children group. Histologically, the number of mast cells in the adult group was greater than in the children group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in EBV infection status or TCR-γ gene rearrangements between 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: There were differences in clinical pathology and prognosis between the 2 groups. A higher mast cell count and T-cell phenotype might be associated with a poor prognosis.

[Clinical Comparative Analysis of Lupus Panniculitis and Subcutaneous Panniculitis-like T-cell Lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the similarities and differences in clinical pathological features and gene rearrangement of lupus erythematosus profundus(LEP) and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma(SPTL). METHODS: We compared the clinical presentations, histopathology, immunophenotypical features and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement findings of 9 cases of LEP and SPTL. RESULTS: For clinical features, most patients of LEP occurred on head and face without systemic symptoms. LEP patients responded well to hydroxycholorquine treatment with good prognosis. Most patients of SPTL tended to lower extremities involvement and accompanied with systemic symptoms, the patients with disseminated lesions or hemophagocytic syndrome(HPS) showed poorer prognosis. For histopathology, LEP patients showed dense inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis consisting predominantly of lymphocytes with less numbers of plasma cells. However, the dermis was spared in SPTL, and rimming of adipocytes and erythrophagocytosis was observed in SPTL. Lymphocytes of LEP expressing CD4+/CD8+, as well as clusters of CD20+. CD138-positive cells and scatter of CD123-positive cells were also observed in LEP. Tumor cells of SPTL were CD4-/CD8+, ßF1+, CD138- and CD123-. The expression of TIA-1 or GrB was more favor in SPTL. Monoclonal T-cell receptor-γ gene rearrangement was found in 89% of SPTL patients while negative for LEP. CONCLUSION: Base on different clinical and pathological features, it is easy to distinguish LEP from SPTL. However, a minority of lesions in LEP localize at subcutaneous tissue, which may turn to immunophenotypical and TCR gene rearrangement test for diagnosis.

[Investigate the clonal origin of different phenotypic tumor-like cells in the epidermis and dermis of skin lesions in lymphomatoid papulosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation of the clone sources of MF-like cells in the epidermis and RS-like cells in the dermis of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), a compartive study of this two type cells in 8 LyP cases was carried out. METHODS: 8 cases of LyP (4 type A cases and 4 type C cases) were detected the immunophenotype first, and then comparative study between the MF-like cells and RS-like cells was conducted on T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma-chain gene rearrangement by combinating laser capture microdissectinon (LCM) and PCR. PCR products of one patient which had positive bands were selected randomly for sequencing and sequence alignment analysis. RESULTS: Monoclonal TCRgamma gene rearrangement was detected in 6 cases (75%) of the 8 cases. Detection rates of LyP type A and type C were 50% (2/4) and 100% (4/4), respectively. The rates of MF-like cells and RS-like cells were 75% (6/8) and 75% (6/8), respectively. Homology of the products with positive stripes in both MF-like cells and RS-like cells in one randomly selected case was compared and analyzed, and the results showed the homology of them was 106/108 (98%). CONCLUSION: The MF-like cells in the epidermis and the RS-like cells in the dermis of LyP may be from the same clone.

CTLA-4 CT60 (rs3087243) polymorphism and autoimmune thyroid diseases susceptibility: a comprehensive meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) CT60 polymorphism (rs3087243) confers susceptibility to autoimmune thyroid disease (AITDs). METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed using: (1) allelic contrast, (2) recessive model and (3) dominant model. Electronic search of PubMed, Medline and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was conducted to select studies. RESULTS: Finally, a total of 20 separate studies were available for the current meta-analysis: Graves' disease (GD): 18 studies including 1 Iranian, 6 Caucasian and 11 Asian populations; Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT): seven studies including one Iranian, three Caucasian and three Asian populations. A significant association was found between the CTLA-4 CT60 polymorphism (rs3087243) and GD, with regard to comparisons between allele and genotype frequencies (all p < 0.001). After stratification by ethnicity, significant relationships were consistently identified both in Caucasian and Asian populations. Furthermore, the association between this allelic variant and HT risk was also found in overall and Asian populations (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.10-1.44; OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.19-1.76, respectively). CONCLUSION: Taken together, our study suggested that the CT60 polymorphism (rs3087243) in CTLA-4 gene might confer susceptibility to the AITDs (GD/HT).

[Effects of amino acid on growth and secondary metabolites contents of adventitious roots of Tripterygium wilfordii].

The adventitious root of Tripterygium wilfordii was used as experiment material to study effects of various concentration of aspartic acid, isoleucine, cysteine and arginine in MS medium on the growth and triptolide, wilforgine, wilforine contents of the adventitious roots. The results showed that compared with the control, supplemented with 0.25 mmol x L(-1) aspartic acid at 3rd week, the growth of the adventitious roots only accounted for 80%, but the content of triptolide of the adventitious roots and the medium was 1.36, 1.30 times, the content of wilforgine was 1.16, 1.37 times, the content of wilforine was 1.22, 1.63 times, respectively. At 3rd week 0.05 mmol x L(-1) isoleucine, the growth of adventitious roots was 97.3%, wilforgine of adventitious roots and medium 1.02, 1.27 times, wilforine 1.36 times and 1.15 times. At 1st week 0.25 mmol x L(-1) cysteine, the growth of the adventitious roots comprised 77.5% of the control, while content of triptolide of adventitious roots reached 1.87 times. At 2nd week 1.00 mmol x L(-1) cysteine, the growth of adventitious roots was 44.6% of the control, the content of wilforine in medium was 2.97 times. At 3rd week 0.50 mmol x L(-1) arginine, the growth of adventitious roots was 124.2%, the content of wilforgine and wilforine was 1.3, 1.4 times, respectively.

Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor gene and susceptibility to Behcet's disease: an updated meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Studies investigating the association between the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene polymorphisms and Behcet's disease (BD) report conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the association between TNF gene polymorphisms and BD. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify all relevant studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of the association. RESULTS: A total of 16 articles, involving 1,708 patients with BD and 1,910 healthy controls, were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, a significant association was found between BD and the TNF -308A/G polymorphism (OR = 0.730, 95% CI = 0.608-0.877, p = 0.001). Meta-analysis of TNF -238A/G showed significant association with BD (OR = 1.512, 95% CI = 1.155-1.979, p = 0.003). The TNF -1031C allele showed significant association with BD (OR = 1.549, 95% CI = 1.190-2.015, p = 0.001). Similarly, the meta-analysis showed a significant association of the TNF -857T/C polymorphism with BD (OR = 0.758, 95% CI = 0.593-0.968, p = 0.027). Stratification by ethnicity revealed that the -308A/G and -857T/C polymorphisms were associated with BD in the Asian group, while the -238A/G and -1031C/T polymorphisms were associated with BD in the Caucasian population. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our meta-analysis suggest that TNF (-308A/G, -238A/G, -1031C/T, and -857T/C) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to BD.

Treatment of periprosthetic knee infection and coexistent periprosthetic fracture: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and periprosthetic fracture (PPF) are among the most serious complications following total knee arthroplasty. Herein, we present one patient with these two complications with details on the characteristics, treatment strategy, and outcome. CASE SUMMARY: A 69-year-old female patient who suffered from PJI and PPF following total knee arthroplasty was treated by a two-stage revision surgery. After thorough foreign material removal and debridement, we used a plate that was covered with antibiotic-loaded bone cement to link with a hand-made cement spacer to occupy the joint space and fix the fracture. Although the infection was cured, the fracture did not heal and caused bone defect due to the long interval between debridement and revision. In the revision surgery, a cemented stem and cortical allogenic splints were used to reconstruct the fracture and bone defect. At the final follow-up 27 mo after revision, the patient was satisfied with postoperative knee functions with satisfactory range of motion (104º) and Hospital for Special Surgery knee score (82 points). The radiographs showed no loosening of the prosthesis and that the bone grafts healed well with the femur. CONCLUSION: Our two-stage revision surgery has proved to be successful and may be considered in other patients with PJI and PPF.

The association between hemoglobin at admission and mortality of older patients with hip fracture: a mean 3-year follow-up cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture patients often have a large drop in hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration that is associated with the initial trauma. However, there is no study of a correlation between Hgb concentration at admission and short-term mortality. Thus, we evaluated a possible linear and nonlinear association between Hgb and mortalityfor older patients with hip fracture. METHODS: Consecutive older patients who had hip fractures were screened between January 2015 and September 2019. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Linear and nonlinear multivariate Cox regression models were used to identify association between Hgb at admission and mortality. All analyses were performed with EmpowerStats and R software. RESULTS: Two thousand five hundred eighty-nine patients were included in the study. There were 849 men and 1740 women. The mean age was 79.6 ± 6.8 years. The mean follow-up was 39.0 months. Nine hundred seven (35.0%) patients died for all-cause reasons. The mean Hgb at admission was 11.07 ± 1.95 g/dL. Linear multivariate Cox regression models showed Hgb at admission was associated with mortality ([Hazard Ratio] HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.87-0.95, P < 0.0001) after adjusting for confounding factors. However, the linear association was unstable, and nonlinearity was found between Hgb at admission and mortality. The Hgb concentration of 9.8 g/dL was an inflection point. A Hgb at admission < 9.8 g/dL was associated with mortality (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.74-0.89, P < 0.0001), whereas > 9.8 g/dL was not a risk factor for mortality (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.92-1.04, P = 0.4730). CONCLUSIONS: The Hgb concentration at admission was nonlinearly associated with mortality of older patients with hip fracture, and Hgb at admission < 9.8 g/dL was a risk predictor of 3-year mortality. RESEARCH REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2200057323.

Anti-high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) mediates the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) by receptor of advanced glycation end-products (RAGE)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway in the rats of crush injuries.

OBJECTIVES: The lung injury is often secondary to severe trauma. In the model of crush syndrome, there may be secondary lung injury. We hypothesize that high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), released from muscle tissue, mediates the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) via HMGB1/Receptor of advanced glycation end-products (RAGE)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. The study aimed to investigate how HMGB1 mediated the apoptosis of AEC in the rat model. METHODS: Seventy-five SD male rats were randomly divided into five groups: CS, CS + vehicle, CS + Ethyl pyruvate (EP), CS + FPS-ZM1 group, and CS + SP600125 groups. When the rats CS model were completed after 24 h, the rats were sacrificed. We collected the serum and the whole lung tissues. Inflammatory cytokines were measured in serum samples. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to quantify the protein and mRNA. Lastly, apoptotic cells were detected by TUNEL. We used SPSS 25.0 for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Nine rats died during the experiments. Dead rats were excluded from further analysis. Compared to the CS group, levels of HMGB1 and inflammatory cytokines in serum were downregulated in CS + EP, CS + FPS-ZM1, and CS + SP600125 groups. Western blot and RT-qPCR analysis revealed a significant downregulation of HMGB1, RAGE, and phosphorylated-JNK in CS + EP, CS + FPS-ZM1, and CS + SP600125 groups, compared with the CS groups, excluding total-JNK mRNA. Apoptosis of AEC was used TUNEL to assess. We found the TUNEL-positive cells were downregulated in CS + EP, CS + FPS-ZM1, and CS + SP600125 groups. CONCLUSION: The remote lung injury begins early after crush injuries. The HMGB1/RAGE/JNK signaling axis is an attractive target to abrogate the apoptosis of AEC after crush injuries.

The Postoperative Effects of Patellar Eversion in Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: During total knee arthroplasty (TKA), surgeons mobilize the patella to facilitate clear visualization of the articular surfaces and allow better prosthesis placement. According to the manipulation, this manipulation can be divided into patellar eversion and noneversion. However, the effect of patellar eversion in TKA is controversial, with substantial variability in clinical practice. This systematic review is aimed at assessing the adverse effects of patellar eversion and patellar noneversion duration in TKA. Methods: This updated systematic literature review identified randomized controlled trials comparing patellar eversion and noneversion durations in TKA. Two investigators independently extracted data and evaluated the quality of the studies. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan version 5.3. Results: Nine studies with a total of 608 patients (730 knees) were included. Of these, 374 knees were classified in the eversion group and 356 knees in the noneversion group. The quality of the studies was high. The results showed that patellar eversion could increase the postoperative complication rate (relative risk [RR] = 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-2.54; P = 0.02) and postoperative pain before discharge (mean deviation [MD] = 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04-0.34; P = 0.01), compared to noneversion. Additionally, patellar eversion could prolong the time until the patient is able to raise the leg while straightened (MD = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.24-0.59; P < 0.00001) and increase the length of stay (MD = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.05-1.25; P = 0.03). However, patellar eversion did not influence postoperative pain at 1 year (MD = 0.02; 95% CI, -0.23-0.28; P = 0.85), operative time (MD = -2.66; 95% CI, -8.84-3.52; P = 0.40), recovery of quadriceps force throughout the follow-up period, and Insall-Salvati ratio (MD = -0.04; 95% CI, [-0.11-0.02]; P = 0.23). Conclusions: The patellar eversion could increase the postoperative complication rate and postoperative pain. Current evidence supports the avoidance of patellar eversion in TKA. Further large-sample and long-term trials are required to validate these results.

The Role of Preoperative Computed Tomography on the Quality of Reduction and Outcomes in Intertrochanteric Fracture: A Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The study is aimed at assessing the role of preoperative computerised tomography (CT) examination in the quality of reduction and outcomes in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture. METHODS: The elderly patients with an intertrochanteric fracture who were treated with proximal femoral nail antirotation were included. The patients were divided into the CT group and the no-CT group according to the presence of preoperative CT examination. Patients' baseline characteristics, quality of reduction, and function were recorded at follow-up. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Harris hip scores (HHS). RESULTS: Totally, the study included 182 patients with intertrochanteric fractures, with 85 in the CT group and 97 in the no-CT group, admitted between January 2018 and June 2019. There was no difference in the quality of reduction, HHS, the fracture healing, or postoperative complications between the CT group and the no-CT group. However, the CT group experienced the shorter mean operative time and blood transfusion, compared to the no-CT group. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative CT examination seems to be excessive for elderly patients with an intertrochanteric fracture.

Vitamin E-Enhanced Liners in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Adding vitamin E to highly cross-linked polyethylene liners is frequently performed in clinical practice, aiming at reducing liner wear, increasing liner survival, and delaying revision surgery. This study is aimed at evaluating the revision rate, total femoral head penetration, and postoperative clinical function of highly cross-linked polyethylene liners with and without vitamin E in total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search to identify the use of highly cross-linked vitamin E liners compared to other liners in patients who received total hip arthroplasty (THA) before April 2021. The study quality assessment and data collection were conducted by two independent reviewers. Studies were artificially grouped, and vitamin E-enhanced liners (VE-PE) were compared with vitamin E-free liners (non-VE-PE). Analyses were executed using Review Manager version 5.4.1. RESULTS: From the preliminary screening of 568 studies, fourteen studies met the research criteria. Compared to non-VE-PE, using VE-PE reduced the all-cause revision rate (odds ratio = 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40, 0.73; P < 0.0001). The total femoral head penetration of the VE-PE was lower than that of the non-VE-PE (mean difference = -0.10; 95% CI -0.17, -0.03; P = 0.007). However, there was no difference in clinical function, including the Harris Hip Score and EuroQol Five-Dimension Questionnaire scores. CONCLUSION: Compared to the liners without vitamin E, the addition of vitamin E to liners could reduce the all-cause revision rate by approximately 46% in the short-term follow-up. In addition, even though addition of vitamin E could also slow down femoral head penetration, there is no contribution to clinical function.

[Comprehensive assessment of soil fertility characteristics under different long-term conservation tillages of wheat field in Weibei Highland, China.] / 渭北旱作麦田长期保护性耕作土壤肥力特征综合评价.

Soil fertility properties described by four physical indices and seven chemical indices in the 10-year long-term experiment of wheat fields in Weibei Highland were used to investigate the cumulative effect of 11 soil indices under six long-term conservation tillage treatments. The principal component analysis was performed to comprehensively evaluate the cumulative effect of soil fertility under different tillage treatments, so as to provide scientific basis for soil sustainable utilization and management in Weibei Highland. The results showed that, compared with continuous conventional tillage (CT/CT), soil bulk density by no-tillage/subsoiling rotational tillage (NT/ST), subsoiling/conventional tillage rotational tillage (ST/CT) and conventional tillage/no-tillage rotational tillage (CT/NT) decreased by 6.6%, 5.9% and 6.6%, respectively, and no significant difference was found between continuous no-tillage (NT/NT) and CT/CT. NT/NT had the highest content of >0.25 mm mechanical stable aggregate, and no-tillage/subsoiling rotational tillage (NT/ST) had the highest content of >0.25 mm water stable aggregate. Compared with CT/CT, the mechanical stable aggregate contents under other five tillage treatments increased by 1.7%-10.1%, soil organic matter increased by 0.6%-11.2%, and the contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents also increased. By principal component analysis, 11 soil indices were divided into two principal components to comprehensively characterize soil quality. The contribution rate of the first principal component was 75.5%, where the major contributors were soil organic matter, water stable aggregate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, bulk density and soil porosity. The contribution rate of the second principal component was 13.2%, where the major contributor was mechanical stable aggregate. Together, those two principal components accounted for 88.6% of the original variables. The soil fertility performance was in the sequence of NT/ST>ST/CT>CT/NT>NT/NT>ST/ST>CT/CT after gradually accumulating the effects of long-term conservation tillage. NT/ST was the most appropriate tillage patterns for the wheat fields in Weibei Highland, due to the resulting balanced and high-quality soil environment.

Cloning of phospholipase D from grape berry and its expression under heat acclimation.

To investigate whether phospholipase D (PLD, EC 3.1.4.4) plays a role in adaptive response of post-harvest fruit to environment, a PLD gene was firstly cloned from grape berry (Vitis Vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay) using RT-PCR and 3'- and 5'-RACE. The deduced amino acid sequence (809 residues) showed 84.7% identity with that of PLD from Ricinus communis. The secondary structures of this protein showed the characteristic C2 domain and two active sites of a phospholipid-metabolizing enzyme. The PLD activity and its expression in response to heat acclimation were then assayed. The results indicated PLD was significantly activated at enzyme activity, as well as accumulation of PLD mRNA and synthesis of new PLD protein during the early of heat acclimation, primary suggesting that the grape berry PLD may be involved in the heat response in post-harvest grape berry. This work offers an important basis for further investigating the mechanism of post-harvest fruit adaptation to environmental stresses.

Activity and subcellular localization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in peach fruits.

The subcellular distribution and activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH, EC 1.1.1.49) were studied in developing peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch cv. Zaoyu) fruit. Fruit tissues were separated by differential centrifugation at 15,000g into plastidic and cytosolic fractions. There was no serious loss of enzyme activity (or activation) during the preparation of fractions. G6PDH activity was found in both the plastidic and cytosolic compartments. Moreover, DTT had no effect on the plastidic G6PDH activities, that is, the redox regulatory mechanism did not play an important role in the peach fleshy tissue. Results from the immunogold electron-microscope localization revealed that G6PDH isoenzymes were mainly present in the cytosol, the secondary wall and plastids (chloroplasts and chromoplasts), but scarcely found in the starch granules or the cell wall. In addition to a decrease in fruit firmness, the G6PDH activity in the cytotolic and plastidic fractions increased, and anthocyanin started to accumulate during fruit maturation. These results suggest that G6PDH, by providing precursors for metabolic processes, might be associated with the red coloration that occurs in peach fruit.

Effects of Lower Limb Alignment and Tibial Component Inclination on the Biomechanics of Lateral Compartment in Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Lateral compartmental osteoarthritis (LCOA), a major complication after medial mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), is highly associated with the increased stress of the lateral compartment. This study aimed to analyze the effects on the stress and load distribution of the lateral compartment induced by lower limb alignment and coronal inclination of the tibial component in UKA through a finite element analysis. METHODS: Eight three-dimensional models were constructed based on a validated model for analyzing the biomechanical effects of implantation parameters on the lateral compartment after medial Oxford UKA: postoperative lower limb alignment of 3° valgus, neutral and 3° varus, and the inclination of tibial components placed in 4°, 2° valgus, square, and 2° and 4° varus. The contact stress of femoral and tibial cartilage and load distribution were calculated for all models. RESULTS: In the 3° valgus lower limb alignment model, the contact stress of femoral (3.38 MPa) and tibial (3.50 MPa) cartilage as well as load percentage (45.78%) was highest compared to any other model, and was increased by 36.75%, 47.70%, and 27.63%, respectively when compared to 3° varus. In the condition of a neutral position, the outcome was comparable for the different tibial tray inclination models. The inclination did not greatly affect the lateral compartmental stress and load distribution. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that slightly varus (undercorrection) lower limb alignment might be a way to prevent LCOA in medial mobile-bearing UKA. However, the inclination (4° varus to 4° valgus) of the tibial component in the coronal plane would not be a risk factor for LCOA in neutral position.

Significance of Lateral Pillar in Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head: A Finite Element Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The lateral pillar of the femoral head is an important site for disease development such as osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The femoral head consists of medial, central, and lateral pillars. This study aimed to determine the biomechanical effects of early osteonecrosis in pillars of the femoral head via a finite element (FE) analysis. METHODS: A three-dimensional FE model of the intact hip joint was constructed from the image data of a healthy control. Further, a set of six early osteonecrosis models was developed based on the three-pillar classification. The von Mises stress and surface displacements were calculated for all models. RESULTS: The peak values of von Mises stress in the cortical and cancellous bones of normal model were 6.41 MPa and 0.49 MPa, respectively. In models with necrotic lesions in the cortical and cancellous bones, the von Mises stress and displacement of lateral pillar showed significant variability: the stress of cortical bone decreased from 6.41 MPa to 1.51 MPa (76.0% reduction), while cancellous bone showed an increase from 0.49 MPa to 1.28 MPa (159.0% increase); surface displacements of cortical and cancellous bones increased from 52.4 µm and 52.1 µm to 67.9 µm (29.5%) and 61.9 µm (18.8%), respectively. In addition, osteonecrosis affected not only pillars but also adjacent structures in terms of the von Mises stress and surface displacement levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the early-stage necrosis in the femoral head could increase the risk of collapse, especially in lateral pillar. On the other hand, the cortical part of lateral pillar was found to be the main biomechanical support of femoral head.

Changes and subcellular localizations of the enzymes involved in phenylpropanoid metabolism during grape berry development.

The phenylpropanoid pathway yields a variety of phenolics that are closely associated with fruit qualities in addition to structural and defense-related functions. However, very little has been reported concerning its metabolism in fruit. This experiment was designed to assess changes of eleven phenolic acids in grape berry (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) and explore both the activities and amounts of three key enzymes--phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H) and 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL)--catalyzing the biosynthesis of these compounds during berry development. Finally, the subcellular localizations of the enzymes within berry tissues were also investigated using immuno-gold electron microscopic technique. The results indicated that the contents of gallic, protocatechuic, gentisic and caffeic acid all changed drastically during berry development, while other compounds containing p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, syringic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, ferulic and sinapic acid varied only slightly. Activities of PAL, C4H and 4CL showed similar pattern changes with two accumulated peaks throughout berry development. In addition, their activities all showed a highly positive correlation with the total contents of phenolic acids, whereas the immunoblotting analysis showed that changes in enzyme activities were independent of the enzyme amounts. Results from the subcellular-localization study revealed that PAL was mainly present in the cell walls, secondarily thickened walls, and the parenchyma cells of the berry mesocarp cells, C4H was found primarily in the chloroplast (plastid) and nucleus and 4CL predominantly in the secondarily thickened walls and the parenchyma cells of mesocarp vascular tissue.