中枢神经系统感染患者血清NSE和sICAM-1的改变

目的 :探讨中枢神经系统感染患者血清中NSE和sICAM 1水平的改变。方法 :采用ELISA法检测了 30例CNS感染的患者和 2 0例正常健康人血清中的NSE和sICAM 1水平。结果 :在CNS感染患者血清中NSE( 12 5 .6 8± 14 .38μg/L)和sICAM 1( 4 48.94± 96 .70μg/L)显著高于正常对照组的NSE( 6 .6 6± 1.2 5 μg/L)和sICAM 1( 2 91.78± 39.18μg/L) ,P <0 .0 1。在CNS感染各组中病毒性脑炎患者的NSE亦显著高于其他各组 ;sICAM 1在CNS感染各组间无显著性差异 ,P >0 .0 5。结论 :提示NSE和ICAM 1可作为CNS损害和感染的监测指标     

女性甲状腺功能异常患者血清瘦素含量变化观察

目的 :探讨女性甲状腺功能异常患者血清瘦素 (Leptin)水平的变化。方法 :采用放射免疫分析法 (RIA)分别检测 6 0例甲状腺功能亢进、36例原发性甲状腺功能减退和 30例健康人血清Leptin水平 ,并随访经过治疗后甲状腺功能恢复至正常水平患者 (2 4例甲亢、12例甲减 )血清Leptin水平。结果 :各组Leptin水平皆与BMI呈强正相关 (p <0 0 1)。Leptin水平 (甲减组 4 2 1± 1 87μg/L)明显低于健康组 (8 18± 3 31μg/L) ,有统计学意义 (p <0 0 1) ;甲亢组 8 6 1± 3 0 4 μg/L与健康组比较无显著性差异 (p >0 0 5 )。治疗后甲减缓解组Leptin水平 (6 77± 2 35 μg/L)明显高于初诊未治疗组 (4 19± 1 84 μg/L) (p <0 0 5 ) ,接近正常人水平 ;甲亢组治疗前后Leptin水平无明显差异 (p >0 0 5 )。结论 :生理剂量的甲状腺激素可使人体产生足够的Leptin ,维持人体的正常能量代谢。甲状腺功能异常因甲状腺激素的变化而影响了Leptin的正常调节。     

糖尿病视网膜病变患者瘦素水平的变化

目的 :探讨糖尿病视网膜病变患者血清瘦素水平变化规律。方法 :受试对象 12 0例 ,分为对照组 30例 (男 18,女 12 )、糖尿病无视网膜病变组 30例 (男 18,女 12 ) ,非增殖性视网膜病变组 30例 (男 18,女 12 )及增殖性视网膜病变组 30例 (男 18,女 12 ) ,检测血清瘦素、胰岛素、Ⅳ型胶原及血糖浓度 ,分析瘦素水平与其它指标的相关性。结果 :对照组、无视网膜病变组、NPDR组及PDR组血清瘦素浓度分别为 6 91± 1 87μg/L ,7 83± 2 11μg/L ,9 5 6± 2 4 3μg/L和 11 6 9± 2 5 7μg/L ,经协方差分析排除体重指数的影响 ,PDR组血清瘦素浓度高于NPDR组 (t=2 15 ,p<0 0 5 )、无视网膜病变组 (t=2 71,p <0 0 1)及对照组 (t =3 5 0 ,p <0 0 0 1) ;NPDR组高于无视网膜病变组 (t=2 2 3,p <0 0 5 )及对照组 (t=2 75 ,p<0 0 1)。血清瘦素浓度与体重指数、胰岛素呈正相关 (r=0 2 2 ,p <0 0 5 ;r=0 2 8,p<0 0 1)。结论 :糖尿病视网膜病变患者血清瘦素浓度升高 ,且增高的幅度与病情的严重程度正相关     

儿童肾脏病患者血清白介素-2、白介素-6和胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅱ检测及其临床意义

为观察儿童肾脏病患者血清白介素 - 2 (IL - 2 )、白介素 - 6 (IL - 6 )、胰岛素样生长因子 -Ⅱ (IGF -Ⅱ )的含量 ,探讨细胞因子与肾脏病的关系 ,采用RIA法检测了不同肾脏病儿童患者血清IL - 2、IL - 6、IGF -Ⅱ的水平。结果显示 ,正常儿童血清IL - 2含量为 1 .6 0± 0 .32 μg/L、IL - 6为 37.0± 6 .0ng/L、IGF -Ⅱ为 0 .30±0 .1 5μg/L。正常男女性儿童之间血清三个细胞因子含量无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。正常儿童与成年人之间三个细胞因子有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1 )。慢性肾小球肾炎血清IL - 2含量为 1 .96± 0 .4 4 μg/L、IL - 6为 5 4 .9± 2 0 .9ng/L、IGF -Ⅱ为 0 .5 2± 0 .1 5 μg/L ;急性肾炎血清IL - 2含量为 1 .92± 0 .4 7μg/L、IL - 6为 76 .3± 36 .2ng/L、IGF -Ⅱ为 0 .6 2± 0 .2 2 μg/L ;紫癜性肾炎血清IL - 2含量为 1 .91± 0 .33μg/L、IL - 6为 5 5 .5± 1 5 .1ng/L、IGF -Ⅱ为 0 .5 0± 0 .1 9μg/L ;肾病血清IL - 2含量为 1 .96± 0 .6 5 μg/L、IL - 6为 5 6 .2± 2 8.4ng/L、IGF -Ⅱ为 0 .5 9±0 .2 8μg/L ;不同肾脏病儿童三个细胞因子与正常人相比有显著差异 (P <0 .0 1 )。提示 :不同肾脏病儿童血清IL- 2、IL - 6、IGF -Ⅱ含量升高表明 ,这三个细胞因子均积极参与     

β—淀粉样蛋白31—35和载脂蛋白E4对大鼠海马神经元存活和生长的影响

目的 :研究 β 淀粉样蛋白 (Betaamyloidpritein ,Aβ)与载脂蛋白E4(ApolipoproteinE ,ApoE4)对神经元的共同作用 ,探讨老年性痴呆发病的细胞分子机制。材料与方法 :体外培养神经细胞 ,采用MTT比色法和免疫组化标记 ,结合图像分析技术 ,研究Aβ3 1 3 5和ApoE4对海马神经元存活和生长的作用。结果 :(1 )Aβ3 1 3 5(1 0 0 μmol/L) +ApoE4(1 0 μg/ml)和Aβ3 1 3 5(2 0 μmol/L) +ApoE4(1 0 μg/ml)的OD值 ,分别为 0 .1 97± 0 .0 2 1和 0 .1 91± 0 .0 2 4,明显低于对照组 0 .2 2 9± 0 .0 0 3 μm(P <0 .0 5 )。 (2 )这两组神经元胞体的最长径分别为 1 0 .0 7± 1 .98μm和 1 0 .0 1± 1 .68μm ;最短径分别为 6.40± 0 .77μm ,6.2 8± 0 .89μm ,明显低于对照组 1 2 .73± 3 .0 0 μm、7.0 5± 1 .0 4μm ,Aβ3 1 3 5组 1 2 .0 9± 2 .45 μm、7.0 1± 1 .0 2 μm ,最长径和最短径 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;(3 )两组神经元突起平均长度分别为 2 6.3 6± 7.73 μm和2 3 .86± 7.2 9μm ,明显低于对照组 3 0 .88± 9.79μm、2 8.3 4± 4.40 μm ,P <0 .0 5。 (4 )Aβ3 1 3 5(2 0 μmol/L)组的平均突起长度 (2 6.81± 5 .42 μm) ,明显低于对照组和ApoE4组 3 0 .60± 7.3 0 μm(P <0 .0 5 )。ApoE4对海马神经元的存     

不同原因致慢性肾功能衰竭的临床分析

慢性肾功能衰竭是各种原因引起的肾脏损害并进行性恶化 ,病情发展至晚期出现的临床综合征。本文收集了我院1997.0 2 - 2 0 0 2 .11不同原因所致的慢性肾功能衰竭 (透析疗法 ) 3 90例。1　临床资料患者 3 90例 ,男 2 5 0例 ,女 140例 ,年龄 14- 68岁。平均年龄 41岁 ,平均病程 11.0 9± 8.3 0月 (肾功不全 ) ;实验室检查 :HB5 6.8± 12 .8g/ L ;BUN 2 9.2± 6.5 mm ol/ L ,Gr85 1± 3 96.5μm ol/ L ,k+4 .3 5± 1.0 1m mol/ L ,Ca2 +2 .2±0 .76m mol/ L ,CI- 10 2 .2 3± 3 .2 3 m mol/ L ,P3+3 .12±2 .12 m mol/ L ,Co2 c P2 0 .…     

胎儿窘迫时羊水中电解质浓度的实验研究

目的　探讨羊水中电解质浓度的变化对诊断胎儿窘迫及判断围产儿预后价值。方法　随机选择 5 0例正常产妇作正常组 ,5 0例胎儿窘迫者作为胎儿窘迫组 ,取各组羊水进行电解质浓度测定分析 ;每例新生儿出生时行Apgar 1min及5min评分。结果　胎儿窘迫组中 ,羊水中Na+ 浓度 (10 6 30± 11 4 0mmol/L)及Mg2 + 浓度 (0 36± 0 11mmol/L)较正常组Na+ 浓度 (12 8 4 1± 11 0mmol/L)及Mg2 + 浓度 (0 5 1± 0 14mmol/L)显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 5 ) ;而K+ 浓度 (4 80±0 19mmol/L)及Ca2 + 浓度 (1 6 8± 0 13mmol/L)则较正常组羊水K+ 浓度 (4 14± 0 2 9mmol/L)及Ca2 + 浓度 (1 0 9±0 2 8mmol/L)显著升高 ,(P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 5 )。窘迫组的新生儿窒息率 (12 % )较正常组 (2 % )显著升高P <0 .0 2 5。结论　胎儿窘迫时 ,羊水中部分电解质浓度发生改变 ,监测该变化可作为诊断胎儿窘迫的依据及判断预后的指标。     

甲状腺重量及血清TSH浓度对小剂量~(131)I治疗甲亢疗效的影响

目的 :评价甲状腺重量及血清TSH浓度对小剂量1 3 1 I治疗甲状腺功能亢进症 (甲亢 )疗效的影响。方法 :患者治疗前均行甲状腺SPECT扫描并检测血清FT3、FT4、TSH浓度 ;1 3 1 I治疗的剂量为常规剂量的 1 2～ 2 3。结果 :①治疗前一次给药组TSH浓度为 0 .10± 0 .34mμ·L- 1 ,重复给药组为 0 .0 4± 0 .10mμ·L- 1 ,两者差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;②治疗前甲状腺的重量一次给药组为 5 1.2 2± 2 6 .0 9g ,重复给药组 87.34± 6 3.6 9g ,两者差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 0 0 1)。结论 :小剂量1 3 1 I治疗甲亢的疗效良好 ,多数患者能一次治愈 ,但对于大甲状腺患者或血清TSH浓度很低者则需多次治疗。     

胰岛素样生长因子-1及内皮素-1水平与胎儿宫内发育受限发病的关系

目的 探讨胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)及内皮素-1 (ET-1)与胎儿宫内发育受限(FGR)发病的关系.方法 应用放射免疫分析法和酶联免疫吸附试验,分别测定21例FGR患儿脐血、孕妇(FGR组)血清及羊水中IGF-1和ET-1水平,同期住院的正常晚期妊娠妇女34例(正常妊娠组)作为对照.结果 (1)FGR组孕妇血清IGF-1为112.16±7.02μg/L,低于正常妊娠组的207.07±8.25μg/L,两者比较,差异有显著性(P＜0.01);FGR组脐血清IGF-1为16.27±7.38μg/L,低于正常妊娠组的44.89±6.44μg/L,两者比较, 差异有极显著性(P＜0.001);FGR组羊水中IGF-1 与正常妊娠组无明显差异(P＞0.05);(2)FGR组脐血清ET-1为79.34±3.67μg/L,高于正常妊娠组的43.96±4.16μg/L,两者比较,差异有显著性(P＜0.01);FGR组羊水中ET-1水平(21.96±1.89μg/L)明显高于正常妊娠组(10.41±2.13μg/L),两组相比有显著差异(P＜0.01);而FGR组孕妇血清ET-1与正常妊娠组相比无明显差异(P＞0.05).结论 IGF-1及ET-1在FGR的发病中可能起到重要作用有关.     

足月新生儿脐静脉血瘦素和神经肽Y水平的研究

目的 :探讨足月新生儿脐静脉血瘦素和神经肽Y水平及其临床意义。方法 :采用放射免疫分析测定 1 0 0例足月新生儿脐静脉血瘦素和神经肽Y(NPY)浓度。结果 :足月新生儿脐静脉血瘦素水平 7 1 5±3 72 μg/L ,NPY水平为 1 1 2± 4 2 36ng/L ;女婴组瘦素水平为 9 35± 3 5 1 μg/L ,NPY为 1 38 2 9± 4 2 6 7ng/L ,均明显高于男婴组瘦素水平 (4 95± 2 1 8μg/L)和NPY水平 (85 85± 4 0 39ng/L) ,差异有显著性 (p<0 0 1 )。足月新生儿脐静脉血瘦素与新生儿出生体重、孕妇分娩前身高体重指数 (BMI)呈显著正相关关系 (r分别为 0 6 4 7、0 5 4 7,p<0 0 5 ) ;NPY水平与新生儿体重、孕妇分娩前BMI亦呈正相关 (r分别为 0 5 84 ,0 70 5 ,p <0 0 5 )。结论 :胎儿组织及胎盘产生的瘦素和NPY可能参与了妊娠期胎儿体重增长的调节     

骨移植体及骨移植替代物在体内的血管化

探讨了骨移植体及骨移植替代物在体内血管化的机理、意义及过程,以更好地促进骨缺损移植修复的效果.通过对近期有关文献所作相关研究的综述,总结出各类骨移植体及骨移植替代物体内血管化的特点及影响因素.骨移植体及骨移植替代物体内血管化过程是移植手段能够奏效的重要保障.组织工程化人工骨作为一种日益重要的骨移植替代物,进一步提高其在体内的血管化进程,是更好发挥其生命活力的关键.     

Long bone histomorphogenesis of the naked mole-rat: Histodiversity and intraspecific variation

Lacking fur, living in eusocial colonies and having the longest lifespan of any rodent, makes naked mole-rats (NMRs) rather peculiar mammals. Although they exhibit a high degree of polymorphism, skeletal plasticity and are considered a novel model to assess the effects of delayed puberty on the skeletal system, scarce information on their morphogenesis exists. Here, we examined a large ontogenetic sample (n = 76) of subordinate individuals to assess the pattern of bone growth and bone microstructure of fore- and hindlimb bones by using histomorphological techniques. Over 290 undecalcified thin cross-sections from the midshaft of the humerus, ulna, femur, and tibia from pups, juveniles and adults were analyzed with polarized light microscopy. Similar to other fossorial mammals, NMRs exhibited a systematic cortical thickening of their long bones, which clearly indicates a conserved functional adaptation to withstand the mechanical strains imposed during digging, regardless of their chisel-tooth predominance. We describe a high histodiversity of bone matrices and the formation of secondary osteons in NMRs. The bones of pups are extremely thin-walled and grow by periosteal bone formation coupled with considerable expansion of the medullary cavity, a process probably tightly regulated and adapted to optimize the amount of minerals destined for skeletal development, to thus allow the female breeder to produce a higher number of pups, as well as several litters. Subsequent cortical thickening in juveniles involves high amounts of endosteal bone apposition, which contrasts with the bone modeling of other mammals where a periosteal predominance exists. Adults have bone matrices predominantly consisting of parallel-fibered bone and lamellar bone, which indicate intermediate to slow rates of osteogenesis, as well as the development of poorly vascularized lamellar-zonal tissues separated by lines of arrested growth (LAGs) and annuli. These features reflect the low metabolism, low body temperature and slow growth rates reported for this species, as well as indicate a cyclical pattern of osteogenesis. The presence of LAGs in captive individuals was striking and indicates that postnatal osteogenesis and its consequent cortical stratification most likely represents a plesiomorphic thermometabolic strategy among endotherms which has been suggested to be regulated by endogenous rhythms. However, the generalized presence of LAGs in this and other subterranean taxa in the wild, as well as recent investigations on variability of environmental conditions in burrow systems, supports the hypothesis that underground environments experience seasonal fluctuations that may influence the postnatal osteogenesis of animals by limiting the extension of burrow systems during the unfavorable dry seasons and therefore the finding of food resources. Additionally, the intraspecific variation found in the formation of bone tissue matrices and vascularization suggested a high degree of developmental plasticity in NMRs, which may help explaining the polymorphism reported for this species. The results obtained here represent a valuable contribution to understanding the relationship of several aspects involved in the morphogenesis of the skeletal system of a mammal with extraordinary adaptations.     

豌豆骨移位代月骨的应用解剖

在15只成年上肢标本和57套腕骨标本上观察了豌豆骨的形态和血供。豌豆骨的骨内、外血管网发达,吻合丰富,有3～5支营养血管。以尺侧腕屈肌腱为蒂进行移位代替月骨,血供有保证。豌豆骨的纵径刚好与月骨的横径相近,故将纵置的豌豆骨改为横置方位:适当保留豌豆骨周围部分软组织,可以填补月骨空间,又能保存骨周围血管网。     

人体腕骨显微骨硬度分布特征的研究

目的 探讨人体腕骨显微骨硬度的分布特征及其临床意义。方法 纳入3具新鲜冰冻成人尸体标本(62岁男性、58岁男性、45岁女性),将右侧腕骨软组织剥离后,用慢速锯分别在舟骨、月骨、头状骨、钩骨、大多角骨和小多角骨切取厚3 mm的骨组织标本。舟骨选取舟骨结节、腰部内外侧和舟骨体部,月骨选取腕关节面、掌侧面、背侧面和远端,头状骨、钩骨、大多角骨和小多角骨选取外层皮质不同区域,应用德国KB-5型显微维氏硬度仪测试标本不同区域的硬度值,采用50 gf力加载50 s、维持12 s的标准操作方法进行硬度值测定,每个区域选取 5 个有效值,全体有效值的平均值作为该部位的骨硬度值。观察不同骨骼间及骨骼内部不同区域的骨硬度值差异。结果 3具标本中共取得舟骨、月骨、头状骨、钩骨、大多角骨和小多角骨标本切片18片,测量位点255个。腕骨不同骨骼骨硬度从高到低依次为钩状骨(39.04±5.79)HV、头状骨(38.98±6.17)HV、舟骨(37.72±5.85)HV、大多角骨(35.89±4.75)HV、月骨(33.65±5.42)HV及小多角骨(31.82±5.54)HV,不同骨骼间总体骨硬度差异有统计学意义(F=10.783,P＜0.01)。舟骨、月骨内部不同区域骨硬度分布近似,舟骨结节、腰部外侧、腰部内侧和舟骨体部骨硬度分别为(37.07±5.77)、(37.51±6.39)、(40.00±5.64)、(36.31±5.47)HV,其中腰部内侧骨硬度最大,舟骨体部骨硬度最小,4部位间骨硬度比较差异无统计学意义(F=1.129,P＞0.05)。月骨腕关节面、掌侧面、背侧面和远端骨硬度分别为(33.57±3.61)、(34.58±6.04)、(35.47±5.24)、(30.97±5.88)HV,其中背侧骨硬度最大,远端骨硬度最小, 4个部位间骨硬度比较差异无统计学意义(F=2.040,P＞0.05)。结论 健康人腕骨不同骨骼间硬度各有不同,舟骨和月骨内部各部位骨硬度分布均匀一致。测量腕骨显微骨硬度值,了解其分布特征,有助于了解腕骨微观生物力学性能,亦可指导腕骨骨折内固定方法的选择,设计制作更加符合人体生理状态下的腕部骨骼假体及建立腕部肌骨组织的有限元模型。临床试验注册 中国临床试验注册中心,注册号为ChiCTR-BPR-17010818。     

多代连续饮用四种饮水的雌性大鼠骨生物力学性能和骨代谢水平的比较

目的观察雌性SD大鼠多代连续单纯饮用自来水、纯净水、矿物质水和天然水,对其骨质密度、骨生物力学性能及骨代谢的影响。方法取前期实验暴露于四种饮水条件下的F2代断乳健康雌性SD大鼠,各组30只,饮用与F1代相同饮水,除饮水外其他条件完全相同。饲养10个月后处死,腹主动脉取血并分离血清检测大鼠骨碱性磷酸酶（BALP）、骨钙素（BGP）、血清I型前胶原羧基端前肽（PICP）、I型胶原交联羧基末端肽（ICTP）,同时取右侧股骨,进行骨密度和骨生物力学检测。结果血清中BGP含量天然水组高于自来水组（P〈0.05）;PICP含量纯净水组和天然水组低于自来水组（P〈0.01）;ICTP含量天然水组低于自来水组（P〈0.01）。拉伸试验显示：自来水组大鼠股骨最大桡度高于天然水组、矿物质水组和纯净水组（P〈0.01）;自来水组弹性桡度高于天然水组（P〈0.01）和矿物质水组（P〈0.05）。自来水组大鼠股骨最大应变高于天然水组、矿物质水组和纯净水组（P〈0.01）;断裂应变自来水组高于矿物质水组和天然水组（P〈0.01）。杨氏模量自来水组低于天然水组（P〈0.05）。结论长期饮用不同水质的水,可能对大鼠骨骼的生长发育会造成一定的影响。     

Vascular tumors of bone: A study of 17 cases other than ordinary hemangioma,with an evaluation of the relationship of hemangioendothelioma of bone to epithelioid hemangioma,epithelioid hemangioendothelioma,and high-grade angiosarcoma

Cases filed as vascular tumor of bone other than ordinary hemangioma were reviewed. They were included in the study if there was adequate histologic material and clinical information, clear evidence of bone origin, and at least 5 years follow-up. The study group comprised 17 cases, of which 13 were categorized as hemangioendothelioma of bone, 1 as epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, and 3 as high-grade angiosarcoma. Hemangioendothelioma of bone had growth patterns varying from vasoformative to solid, but well-formed vessels were present in at least some area in all cases. The cells generally had a rounded, epithelioid character, regular nuclei, and relatively few mitotic figures; occasional features included spindle cells and scattered enlarged, hyperchromatic or pleomorphic nuclei. Lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic inflammatory infiltrate ranged from prominent to slight or absent, and myxoid or hyaline stroma was never more than focal. Epithelioid hemangioma could not be separated from hemangioendothelioma of bone. The single epithelioid hemangioendothelioma for the most part had cords of relatively uniform epithelioid cells in a prominent myxoid stroma but focally demonstrated an angiosarcoma-like appearance, with irregular vascular spaces and marked nuclear pleomorphism. The high-grade angiosarcomas exhibited predominantly irregular vasoformation combined with solid areas, diffuse nuclear hyperchromatism and pleomorphism, and, in 2 cases, numerous mitotic figures (the third case had only a small biopsy and a postradiation amputation specimen). Of the hemangioendotheliomas of bone, 7 were unicentric and 6 were regionally multicentric either concurrently or sequentially. Three patients had intraosseous local recurrence, 2 had discontinuous regional skin or soft tissue involvement (including the popliteal artery in 1), and 1 had a solitary lung metastasis, but none died of tumor. The patient with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma had multicentric tumors in widely separated bones and died with liver and lung metastases. Two of the high-grade angiosarcomas were unicentric, and the third was regionally multicentric, with a popliteal artery-soft tissue component as well. All 3 of these patients died with metastases in various sites.     

A fixation-decalcification procedure for bone biopsies

A procedure for the simultaneous fixation and decalcification of bone biopsies is described. Mild acidic fixatives (such as Bouin's fluid) are effective decalcifying agents when made calcium-free by a continuous circulation through a column of anion-binding ion exchange resin. The procedure has been found relatively fast, safe, economic and to provide excellent histology of biopsies containing cancellous bone.     

Does the degree of laminarity correlate with site‐specific differences in collagen fibre orientation in primary bone? An evaluation in the turkey ulna diaphysis

de Margerie hypothesized that preferred orientations of primary vascular canals in avian primary cortical bone mediate important mechanical adaptations. Specifically, bones that receive habitual compression, tension or bending stresses typically have cortices with a low laminarity index (LI) (i.e. relatively lower cross-sectional areas of circularly (C) orientated primary vascular canals, and relatively higher areas of canals with radial (R), oblique (O) or longitudinal (L) orientations. By contrast, bones subject to habitual torsion have a high LI (i.e. relatively higher C-orientated canal area) [LI, based on percentage vascular canal area, = C/(C + R + O + L)]. Regional variations in predominant collagen fibre orientation (CFO) may be the adaptive characteristic mediated by LI. Using turkey ulnae, we tested the hypothesis that site-specific variations in predominant CFO and LI are strongly correlated. Mid-diaphyseal cross-sections (100 +/- 5 micro m) from subadult and adult bones were evaluated for CFO and LI using circularly polarized light images of cortical octants. Results showing significant differences between mean LI of subadult (40.0% +/- 10.7%) and adult (50.9% +/- 10.4%) (P < 0.01) bones suggest that adult bones experience more prevalent/predominant torsion. Alternatively, this relationship may reflect differences in growth rates. High positive correlations between LI and predominant CFO (subadults: r = 0.735; adults: r = 0.866; P < 0.001) suggest that primary bone can exhibit potentially adaptive material variations that are independent of secondary osteon formation.