|
| ||
|
|
||
Bone Morphology (bone + morphology)
Selected AbstractsGenetically Based Influences on the Site-Specific Regulation of Trabecular and Cortical Bone Morphology,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2004Stefan Judex Abstract The degree of site-specificity by which genes influence bone quantity and architecture was investigated in the femur of three strains of mice. Morphological indices were highly dependent on both genetic makeup as well as anatomical location showing that the assessment of bone structure from a single site cannot be extrapolated to other sites even within a single bone. Introduction: The identification of genes responsible for establishing peak BMD will yield critical information on the regulation of bone quantity and quality. Whereas such knowledge may eventually uncover novel molecular drug targets or enable the identification of individuals at risk of osteoporosis, the site-specificity by which putative genotypes cause low or high bone mass (and effective bone morphology) is essentially unknown. Materials and Methods: ,CT was used to determine morphological and microarchitectural features of the femora harvested from three genetically distinct strains of 4-month-old female mice, each with distinct skeletal mass (low: C57BL/6J [B6], medium: BALB/cByJ [BALB], high: C3H/HeJ [C3H]). Two trabecular regions (distal epiphysis and metaphysis) were considered in addition to four cortical regions within the metaphysis and diaphysis. Results and Conclusions: Comparing morphological properties of the different trabecular and cortical femoral regions between the three strains of mice, it was apparent that high or low values of specific parameters of bone morphology could not be consistently attributed to the same genetic strain. Trabecular metaphyseal bone volume, for instance, was 385% larger in C3H mice than in B6 mice, yet the two strains displayed similar bone volume fractions in the epiphysis. Similarly, BALB mice had 48% more trabecular bone than C3H mice in the epiphysis, but there were no strain-specific differences in cortical bone area at the diaphysis. These data suggest that the genetic control of bone mass and morphology, even within a given bone, is highly site-specific and that a comprehensive search for genes that are indicative of bone quantity and quality may also have to occur on a very site-specific basis. [source] Role of Orthopedic Implants and Bone Morphology in the Identification of Human RemainsJOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 2 2007Ellie K. Simpson Ph.D. ABSTRACT: When conventional methods of identification, such as visual recognition and dental comparison, cannot be used to identify a deceased person, it becomes necessary to consider alternative methods. The presence of an orthopedic implant in a body may assist identification if ante-mortem medical records are available for comparison. Another method of identification involves comparison of ante-mortem and postmortem radiographs. Eight cases are reported from Forensic Science SA where the presence of orthopedic implants and/or ante-mortem radiographs were used to try to establish identification. In six cases, positive identification was established, and in two cases with upper limb orthopedic implants, the bones remained unidentified. Manufacturers were unable to provide any information about the distribution and use of the implants that could be of use with identification, as there are no requirements in Australia for individual medical implants to be tracked. Such a system has the potential to aid postmortem identification if serial codes were etched onto implants that could then be traced to manufacturers, surgeons, and recipients of these devices. [source] Bone morphology and vascularization of untreated and guided bone augmentation-treated rabbit calvaria: evaluation of an augmentation modelCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2005Christer Slotte Abstract Objectives: Cranial vault is widely used in experimental models on membranous bone healing in general, guided bone augmentation (GBA) studies being one example. To our knowledge, however, few studies on the characteristics of the untreated calvaria regarding bone density, vessel topography, and their intra/interindividual variations and associations are available. The aims of this investigation were to (1) map the large vessel topography of the skull vault, (2) describe the parietal bones of the adult rabbit histologically and morphometrically, and (3) histologically compare untreated parietal bone with parietal bone that had been treated with a GBA device. Material and methods: Ten adult untreated rabbits were microangiographed. General anesthesia was induced and the mediastinum was opened. Heparin and lidocaine were injected in the aorta followed by perfusion with India ink. After death, en bloc biopsies of the skull vault including the overlying soft tissues and dura mater were taken. The specimens were cleared with the Spalteholtz technique, microscopically examined, and digitally imaged. Thereafter, circular biopsies were harvested to obtain decalcified sections. In addition, sections from 14 GBA-treated rabbit skulls (of the same race, sex and age as the untreated animals) served as reference specimens for comparison. Histomorphometric examinations were carried out. Results: In the cleared specimens, all parietal bones were found to be supplied by one major branch of the meningeal artery. From each of these, separate branches supplied the dura wherein a fine vessel network covered the bone. No major vessels were found in the supracalvarial soft tissue. Numerous fine vessels were found within the periosteum and dura entering the cortical plates. The decalcified sections of the parietal bones revealed an outer and inner cortical plate enveloping a diploic space containing bone trabeculae, marrow tissue and larger sinusoids. Hollow connections were frequently found in both the outer and inner cortical plates in both the untreated and the GBA-treated specimens. These connections contained marrow tissue that extended to the periosteum and the dura. The morphometric measurements revealed similar proportions of cortical, trabecular, and marrow areas in the right and left untreated bones. The area of the outer cortical plate was significantly larger than the area of the inner cortical plate. Bone density was similar in the right and left untreated and GBA-treated specimens, as was the frequency and width of hollow connections through the cortical bone plates. Conclusions: The symmetry between the left and right parietal bones concerning the large vessel topography and the histomorphometric parameters assessed was high. Hollow connections in the cortical plates were frequently found. The bilateral use of the parietal bones is suggested to be reliable in experimental GBA models regarding the blood supply and bone quality. Résumé La voûte crânienne est souvent utilisée dans les modèles expérimentaux de guérison osseuse membranaire en général, l'augmentation osseuse guidée (GBA) étant un exemple. Peu d'études sur les crânes non-traités sont disponibles en ce qui concerne la densité osseuse, la topographie des vaisseaux et leurs variations intra/interindividuelles et leurs associations. Les buts de cette étude ont été 1) de cartographier la topographie des vaisseaux larges sur la voute crânienne, 2) de décrire les os pariétaux du lapin adulte histologiquement et morphométriquement et 3) de comparer histologiquement l'os pariétal non-traité avec celui traité par GBA. Dix lapins adultes non-traités ont subi une micro-angiographie. L'anesthésie générale a été effectuée et la partie médiane a été ouverte. De l'héparine et de la lidocaïne ont été injectées dans l'aorte suivies d'une perfusion avec de l'encre noire. Après la mort, des biopsies en blocs de la voûte crânienne comportant la dura mater et les tissus mous la recouvrant ont été prélevées. Les spécimens ont été estimés par la technique de Spalteholtz, examinés microscopiquement et des images digitales ont été réalisées. Des biopsies circulaires ont été prélevées pour obtenir des sections décalcifiées. Des sections de 14 crânes de lapins traités GBA (de même race, sexe et âge que les non-traités) ont servi de spécimens de référence pour comparaison. Des examens histomorphométriques ont été effectués. Dans les spécimens non-traités, tous les os pariétaux étaient irrigués par une branche majeure de l'artère méningée. De chacune de ces dernières, différentes branches abreuvaient la dura dans laquelle un réseau de vaisseau fins recouvrait l'os. Aucun vaisseau majeur n'a été trouvé dans le tissu mou ou sus-voûte. De nombreux vaisseaux fins ont été trouvés à l'intérieur du périoste et de la dura pénétrant qu'entre les bords corticaux. Les sections décalcifiées des os pariétaux ont révélé des bords corticaux interne et externe enveloppant un espace diploïque contenant de l'os trabéculaire, de la moelle osseuse et de larges sinusoïdes. Des connexions creuses étaient fréquemment trouvées tant dans les plaques corticales interne qu'externe et tant dans les spécimens non-traités que traités GBA. Ces connexions contenaient de la moelle qui allait jusqu'au périoste et la dura. Les mesures morphométriques ont révélé des proportions semblables de cortical, trabécules et moelle dans les les os non-traités. L'aire du bord cortical externe était significativement plus importante que l'aire du bord cortical interne. La densité osseuse était semblable dans les spécimens non-traités et traités GBA gauches et droits ainsi que la fréquence et la largeur des connexions creuses à travers les bords osseux corticaux. La symétrie entre les os pariétaux gauches et droits concernant la topographie des vaisseux larges et des paramètres histomorphométriques étaient importante. Les connexions creuses dans les bords corticaux était souvent trouvées. L'utilisation bilatérale des os pariétaux est proposée pour sa fiabilité dans les modèles GBA expérimentaux concernant l'apport sanguin et la qualité osseuse. Zusammenfassung Ziele:,Die Schädeldecke wird oft bei experimentellen Modellen zur bindegewebigen Knochenheilung verwendet. Ein Beispiel dafür sind Studien zur gesteuerten Knochenaugmentation (GBA). Soviel wir wissen, existieren jedoch nur wenige Studien über die Charakteristiken der unbehandelten Kalvaria bezüglich Knochendichte, Gefässtopographie und deren intra-/interindividuelle Variationen und Assoziationen. Die Ziele dieser Untersuchung waren (1) die Topographie der grossen Gefässe der Schädeldecke aufzuzeichnen, (2) die parietalen Knochen des ausgewachsenen Kaninchens histologisch und histomorphometrisch zu beschreiben, und (3) histologisch den unbehandelten parietalen Knochen mit parietalem Knochen, der mit einer GBA Einrichtung behandelt worden war, zu vergleichen. Material und Methoden:,Zehn ausgewachsene Kaninchen wurden mikroangiographisch untersucht. In Narkose wurde das Mediastinum eröffnet. Es wurde Heparin und Lidocain in die Aorta injiziert, darauf folgte die Perfusion mit India Tinte. Nach dem Tod wurden Blockbiopsien der Schädeldecke inklusive bedeckende Weichgewebe und Dura mater entnommen. Die Präparate wurden mittels der Spaltenholztechink gereinigt, mikroskopisch untersucht und digital aufgezeichnet. Danach wurden zirkuläre Biopsien gewonnen, um entkalkte Schnitte herzustellen. Zusätzlich dienten Schnitte von 14 GBA-behandelten Kaninchenschädeln (gleiche Rasse, Geschlecht und Alter wie die unbehandelten Tiere) als Referenzpräparate zum Vergleich. Es wurden histomorphometrische Untersuchungen durchgeführt. Resultate:,In den gereinigten Präparaten konnte gesehen werden, dass alle parietalen Knochen durch einen grossen Ast der Meningalarterie versorgt wurden. Separate Aeste dieser Arterie versorgten die Dura, wobei ein feines Gefässnetz den Knochen bedeckte. In den Weichgeweben auf der Kalvaria konnten keine grossen Gefässe gefunden werden. Im Periost und in der Dura waren zahlreiche feine Gefässe zu sehen, welche in die kortikalen Platten eintraten. Die entkalkten Schnitte der parietalen Knochen zeigten eine äussere und innere kortikale Platte, welche einen abgeschlossenen Raum mit Knochentrabekeln, Markgewebe und grossen Hohlräumen umschlossen. In der inneren und in der äusseren kortikalen Platte konnten oft sowohl bei den unbehandelten als auch bei den GBA-behandelten Präparaten hohle Verbindungen gefunden werden. Diese Verbindungen enthielten Markgewebe, dass sich bis zum Periost und der Dura erstreckte. Die morphometrischen Messungen zeigten sowohl in den rechten als auch in den linken unbehandelten Knochen ähnliche Proportionen zwischen kortikalem Knochen, trabekulärem Knochen und den Markarealen. Die Fläche der äusseren kortikalen Platte war signifikant grösser als die Fläche der inneren kortikalen Platte. Die Knochendichte war in den rechten und linken unbehandelten und in den GBA-behandelten Präparaten ähnlich, ebenso die Häufigkeit und die Breite der hohlen Verbindungen durch die kortikalen Platten. Schlussfolgerungen:,Die Symmetrie zwischen den rechten und linken parietalen Knochen bezüglich Topographie der grossen Gefässe und der untersuchten histomorphometrischen Parameter war gross. In den kortikalen Platten konnten häufig hohle Verbindungen gefunden werden. Es wird vorgeschlagen, dass die bilaterale Verwendung von parietalen Knochen bei experimentellen GBA-Modellen zuverlässig ist bezüglich Blutversorgung und Knochenqualität. Resumen Objetivos:,La bóveda craneal es ampliamente usada en modelos experimentales en cicatrización de hueso membranoso en general, siendo un ejemplo los estudios de regeneración ósea guiada (GBA). Que sepamos, sin embargo, se dispone de pocos estudios sobre las características del calvario no tratado con respecto a la densidad ósea, la topografía vascular, y sus variaciones intra/interindividuo y sus asociaciones. Las intenciones de esta investigación fueron (1) cartografiar la topografía de grandes vasos de la bóveda craneal, (2) describir histológica y morfométricamente los huesos parietales del conejo adulto, y (3) comparar histológicamente el hueso parietal no tratado con el hueso parietal tratado con un dispositivo de GBA. Material y Métodos:,Se llevaron a cabo microangiografías a diez conejos adultos sin tratar. Se indujo anestesia general y se abrió el mediastino Se inyectaron heparina y lidocaina en la aorta seguida por infusión de tinta de India. Tras la muerte, se tomaron biopsias en bloque de la bóveda craneal incluyendo los tejidos blandos superpuestos y de la duramadre. Los especimenes se aclararon con la técnica de Spalteholtz, se examinaron microscópicamente, y se tomaron imágenes digitales. Más adelante, se recogieron biopsias circulares para obtener secciones descalcificadas. Además, secciones de los cráneos de los conejos tratados con 14secciones descalcificadas. Además, secciones de los cráneos de los conejos tratados con 14 GBA (de la misma raza, sexo y edad que los animales no tratados) sirvieron como especimenes de referencia para la comparación. Se llevaron a cabo exámenes histomorfométricos. Resultados:,En los especimenes aclarados, todos los huesos parietales se encontró que estaban irrigados por una rama principal de la arteria meníngea. De cada una de estas, ramas separadas irrigaron la dura en donde una fina red de vasos cubrió el hueso. No se encontraron vasos mayores en el tejido blando supracalvario. Se encontraron numerosos vasos dentro del periostio y la dura entrando en las placas corticales. Las secciones descalcificadas de los huesos parietales revelaron una placa cortical interna y externa envolviendo un espacio diploico conteniendo trabéculas óseas, tejido medular y grandes sinusoides. Frecuentemente se encontraron conexiones huecas en las placas corticales internas y externas tanto en los especimenes sin tratar como en los tratados con GBA. Estas conexiones contenían tejido medular que se extendió hasta el periostio y la dura. Las medidas morfogenéticas revelaron proporciones similares de áreas corticales trabeculares y medulares en los huesos derecho e izquierdo no tratados. El área de la placa cortical externa fue significativamente mayor que el área de placa cortical interna. La densidad ósea fue similar en el lado derecho e izquierdo no tratados y en los especimenes tratados con GBA, así como la frecuencia y la anchura de las conexiones huecas a lo largo de las placas óseas corticales. Conclusiones:,La simetría entre los huesos parietales izquierdos y derechos concernientes a la topografía vascular y los parámetros histomorfométricos valorados fue alta. Las conexiones huecas en las placas corticales se encontraron con frecuencia. Se sugiere que el uso bilateral de huesos parietales es fiable como modelo experimental GBA respecto al suministro de sangre y calidad ósea. [source] Lifestyle, occupation, and whole bone morphology of the pre-Hispanic Maya coastal population from Xcambó, Yucatan, MexicoINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Isabel S. Wanner Abstract The present bioarchaeological study examines the external diaphyseal geometric properties of humeri, radii, femora and tibiae of the Classic period skeletal population of Xcambó, Yucatan, Mexico. The diaphysial proportions are evaluated using a biomechanical approach together with data from the material context and other osteological information. Our intent is to provide new answers to questions concerning lifestyle, domestic labour division and subsistence strategies of this coastal Maya settlement that was inhabited from the Late and Terminal Preclassic (300 BC,350 AD) to the Postclassic Period (900,1500 AD). Our results provide evidence for a marked sexual division of labour when compared with values from contemporaneous inland populations. The overall male and female loading patterns differ remarkably in terms of form and in bilateral comparison. A high directional asymmetry in the upper limbs is evident among males, a condition related to maritime transportation and trading activities. On the other hand, female upper limbs are characterized by very low side differences. Forces on the arms of women were probably dominated by food processing, in particular the grinding of grains or seeds. In the lower limbs, males show significantly higher anteroposterior bending strengths, which can be explained by greater engagement in transportation tasks and carrying heavy loads. In the course of the Classic period (350,900 AD), diachronic changes affect the male sample only, which suggests a shift of occupational pattern and physical demands. This shift, in turn, reflects Xcambó's changing role as the centre of a densifying settlement area and its place in the trading activities of northern Yucatan. Other topics of discussion relate to general regional trends and local prehispanic subsistence strategies. Our conclusions emphasize the value of geometric long bone analysis in the reconstruction of activity patterns and lifestyles in ancient coastal settlements. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Quantifying temporal bone morphology of great apes and humans: an approach using geometric morphometricsJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 6 2002Charles A. Lockwood Abstract The hominid temporal bone offers a complex array of morphology that is linked to several different functional systems. Its frequent preservation in the fossil record gives the temporal bone added significance in the study of human evolution, but its morphology has proven difficult to quantify. In this study we use techniques of 3D geometric morphometrics to quantify differences among humans and great apes and discuss the results in a phylogenetic context. Twenty-three landmarks on the ectocranial surface of the temporal bone provide a high level of anatomical detail. Generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA) is used to register (adjust for position, orientation and scale) landmark data from 405 adults representing Homo, Pan, Gorilla and Pongo. Principal components analysis of residuals from the GPA shows that the major source of variation is between humans and apes. Human characteristics such as a coronally orientated petrous axis, a deep mandibular fossa, a projecting mastoid process, and reduced lateral extension of the tympanic element strongly impact the analysis. In phenetic cluster analyses, gorillas and orangutans group together with respect to chimpanzees, and all apes group together with respect to humans. Thus, the analysis contradicts depictions of African apes as a single morphotype. Gorillas and orangutans lack the extensive preglenoid surface of chimpanzees, and their mastoid processes are less medially inflected. These and other characters shared by gorillas and orangutans are probably primitive for the African hominid clade. [source] Guidelines for assessment of bone microstructure in rodents using micro,computed tomographyJOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 7 2010Mary L Bouxsein Abstract Use of high-resolution micro,computed tomography (µCT) imaging to assess trabecular and cortical bone morphology has grown immensely. There are several commercially available µCT systems, each with different approaches to image acquisition, evaluation, and reporting of outcomes. This lack of consistency makes it difficult to interpret reported results and to compare findings across different studies. This article addresses this critical need for standardized terminology and consistent reporting of parameters related to image acquisition and analysis, and key outcome assessments, particularly with respect to ex vivo analysis of rodent specimens. Thus the guidelines herein provide recommendations regarding (1) standardized terminology and units, (2) information to be included in describing the methods for a given experiment, and (3) a minimal set of outcome variables that should be reported. Whereas the specific research objective will determine the experimental design, these guidelines are intended to ensure accurate and consistent reporting of µCT-derived bone morphometry and density measurements. In particular, the methods section for papers that present µCT-based outcomes must include details of the following scan aspects: (1) image acquisition, including the scanning medium, X-ray tube potential, and voxel size, as well as clear descriptions of the size and location of the volume of interest and the method used to delineate trabecular and cortical bone regions, and (2) image processing, including the algorithms used for image filtration and the approach used for image segmentation. Morphometric analyses should be based on 3D algorithms that do not rely on assumptions about the underlying structure whenever possible. When reporting µCT results, the minimal set of variables that should be used to describe trabecular bone morphometry includes bone volume fraction and trabecular number, thickness, and separation. The minimal set of variables that should be used to describe cortical bone morphometry includes total cross-sectional area, cortical bone area, cortical bone area fraction, and cortical thickness. Other variables also may be appropriate depending on the research question and technical quality of the scan. Standard nomenclature, outlined in this article, should be followed for reporting of results. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research [source] Genetically Based Influences on the Site-Specific Regulation of Trabecular and Cortical Bone Morphology,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2004Stefan Judex Abstract The degree of site-specificity by which genes influence bone quantity and architecture was investigated in the femur of three strains of mice. Morphological indices were highly dependent on both genetic makeup as well as anatomical location showing that the assessment of bone structure from a single site cannot be extrapolated to other sites even within a single bone. Introduction: The identification of genes responsible for establishing peak BMD will yield critical information on the regulation of bone quantity and quality. Whereas such knowledge may eventually uncover novel molecular drug targets or enable the identification of individuals at risk of osteoporosis, the site-specificity by which putative genotypes cause low or high bone mass (and effective bone morphology) is essentially unknown. Materials and Methods: ,CT was used to determine morphological and microarchitectural features of the femora harvested from three genetically distinct strains of 4-month-old female mice, each with distinct skeletal mass (low: C57BL/6J [B6], medium: BALB/cByJ [BALB], high: C3H/HeJ [C3H]). Two trabecular regions (distal epiphysis and metaphysis) were considered in addition to four cortical regions within the metaphysis and diaphysis. Results and Conclusions: Comparing morphological properties of the different trabecular and cortical femoral regions between the three strains of mice, it was apparent that high or low values of specific parameters of bone morphology could not be consistently attributed to the same genetic strain. Trabecular metaphyseal bone volume, for instance, was 385% larger in C3H mice than in B6 mice, yet the two strains displayed similar bone volume fractions in the epiphysis. Similarly, BALB mice had 48% more trabecular bone than C3H mice in the epiphysis, but there were no strain-specific differences in cortical bone area at the diaphysis. These data suggest that the genetic control of bone mass and morphology, even within a given bone, is highly site-specific and that a comprehensive search for genes that are indicative of bone quantity and quality may also have to occur on a very site-specific basis. [source] Recombinant Human Parathyroid Hormone (1,34) [Teriparatide] Improves Both Cortical and Cancellous Bone StructureJOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 11 2003Yebin Jiang MD Abstract Histomorphometry and ,CT of 51 paired iliac crest biopsy specimens from women treated with teriparatide revealed significant increases in cancellous bone volume, cancellous bone connectivity density, cancellous bone plate-like structure, and cortical thickness, and a reduction in marrow star volume. Introduction: We studied the ability of teriparatide (rDNA origin) injection [rhPTH(1,34), TPTD] to improve both cancellous and cortical bone in a subset of women enrolled in the Fracture Prevention Trial of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis after a mean treatment time of 19 months. This is the first report of a biopsy study after treatment with teriparatide having a sufficient number of paired biopsy samples to provide quantitative structural data. Methods: Fifty-one paired iliac crest bone biopsy specimens (placebo [n = 19], 20 ,g teriparatide [n = 18], and 40 ,g teriparatide [n = 14]) were analyzed using both two-dimensional (2D) histomorphometry and three-dimensional (3D) microcomputed tomography (,CT). Data for both teriparatide treatment groups were pooled for analysis. Results and Conclusions: By 2D histomorphometric analyses, teriparatide significantly increased cancellous bone volume (median percent change: teriparatide, 14%; placebo, ,24%; p = 0.001) and reduced marrow star volume (teriparatide, ,16%; placebo, 112%; p = 0.004). Teriparatide administration was not associated with osteomalacia or woven bone, and there were no significant changes in mineral appositional rate or wall thickness. By 3D cancellous and cortical bone structural analyses, teriparatide significantly decreased the cancellous structure model index (teriparatide, ,12%; placebo, 7%; p = 0.025), increased cancellous connectivity density (teriparatide, 19%; placebo, ,14%; p = 0.034), and increased cortical thickness (teriparatide, 22%; placebo, 3%; p = 0.012). These data show that teriparatide treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis significantly increased cancellous bone volume and connectivity, improved trabecular morphology with a shift toward a more plate-like structure, and increased cortical bone thickness. These changes in cancellous and cortical bone morphology should improve biomechanical competence and are consistent with the substantially reduced incidences of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures during administration of teriparatide. [source] Genetic loci influencing natural variations in femoral bone morphometry in mice,JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2001Thomas A. Drake This study identifies genetic loci affecting femoral bone length and width measures in mature mice. Sixteen month old female F2 progeny of a C57BL/6J and DBA/2J intercross were examined for femur length and width of the femoral head, intertrochanteric region and three locations of the diaphysis using digitized images of femur radiographs obtained in the anterior-posterior and lateral projections. A genome wide linkage map was constructed using microsatellite markers at an average density of 20 cM, and quantitative trait locus analysis used to identify regions of the genome showing linkage with the traits measured. Femur length showed significant linkage with loci on proximal chromosome 3 (lod 6.1), and suggestive linkage with a locus on chromosome 14. A major locus on mid-chromosome 7 controlled width of the diaphysis (lod 6.8). Other loci were identified on chromosomes 2 and 4. Width at the intertrochanteric region had suggestive linkage with loci on chromosomes 6 and 19. No loci were found with linkage for width of the femoral head. Candidate genes related to bone development or metabolism are present at most of these loci. These findings show that genetic regulation of femoral bone morphology is complex, and are consistent with the distinct biologic processes that control longitudinal and lateral growth of the femur. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Punlished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Technical note: Terahertz imaging of ancient mummies and boneAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Lena Öhrström Abstract Ancient mummified soft-tissues are a unique source to study the evolution of disease. Diagnostic imaging of such historic tissues is of foremost interest in paleoanthropology or paleopathology, with conventional x-ray and computed tomography (CT) being the gold-standard. Longer wavelength radiation in the far-infrared or Terahertz region allows diagnostic close-to-surface tissue differentiation of bone morphology while being harmless to human cells. The aim of this study is to show the feasibility and the morpho-diagnostic impact of THz imaging of historic remains. Images of an artificially embalmed ancient Egyptian human mummy hand, an artificially embalmed ancient Egyptian mummified fish and a macerated human lumbar vertebra were obtained by THz-pulse imaging and compared with conventional X-ray and CT images. Although conventional x-ray imaging provides higher spatial resolution, we found that THz-imaging is well-suited for the investigation of ancient mummified soft tissue and embalming-related substances / wrappings. In particular, bone and cartilaginous structures can be well differentiated from surrounding soft-tissues and bandage-wrappings by THz imaging. Furthermore, THz-pulse imaging also measures the time-delay of the pulsed signal when passing through the sample, which provides supplementary information on the optical density of the sample that is not obtained by X-ray and CT. Terahertz radiation provides a completely non-invasive diagnostic imaging modality for historic dry specimens. We anticipate this modality also to be used for detection of hidden objects in historic samples such as funerary amulets still in situ in wrapped mummies, as well as potentially for the identification of spectral signatures from chemical substances, e.g., in embalming essences.. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Congruence of individual cranial bone morphology and neutral molecular affinity patterns in modern humansAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Noreen von Cramon-Taubadel Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated that the shape of the human temporal bone is particularly strongly correlated with neutral genetic expectation, when compared against other cranial regions, such as the vault, face, and basicranium. In turn, this has led to suggestions that the temporal bone is particularly reliable in analyses of primate phylogeny and human population history. While several reasons have been suggested to explain the temporal bone's strong fit with neutral expectation, the temporal bone has never systematically been compared against other individual cranial bones defined using the same biological criteria. Therefore, it is currently unknown whether the shapes of all cranial bones possess reliable information regarding neutral genetic evolution, or whether the temporal bone is unique in this respect. This study tests the hypothesis that the human temporal bone is more congruent with neutral expectation than six other individual cranial bones by correlating population affinity matrices generated using neutral genetic and 3D craniometric data. The results demonstrate that while the temporal bone shows the absolute strongest correlation with neutral genetic data compared with all other bones, it is not statistically differentiated from the sphenoid, frontal, and parietal bones in this regard. Potential reasons for the temporal bone's consistently strong fit with neutral expectation, such as its overall anatomical complexity and/or its contribution to the architecture of the basicranium, are examined. The results suggest that future phylogenetic and taxonomic studies would benefit from considering the shape of the entire cranium minus those regions that deviate most from neutrality. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Genetic, geographic, and environmental correlates of human temporal bone variationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Heather F. Smith Abstract Temporal bone shape has been shown to reflect molecular phylogenetic relationships among hominoids and offers significant morphological detail for distinguishing taxa. Although it is generally accepted that temporal bone shape, like other aspects of morphology, has an underlying genetic component, the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors is unclear. To determine the impact of genetic differentiation and environmental variation on temporal bone morphology, we used three-dimensional geometric morphometric techniques to evaluate temporal bone variation in 11 modern human populations. Population differences were investigated by discriminant function analysis, and the strength of the relationships between morphology, neutral molecular distance, geographic distribution, and environmental variables were assessed by matrix correlation comparisons. Significant differences were found in temporal bone shape among all populations, and classification rates using cross-validation were relatively high. Comparisons of morphological distances to molecular distances based on short tandem repeats (STRs) revealed a significant correlation between temporal bone shape and neutral molecular distance among Old World populations, but not when Native Americans were included. Further analyses suggested a similar pattern for morphological variation and geographic distribution. No significant correlations were found between temporal bone shape and environmental variables: temperature, annual rainfall, latitude, or altitude. Significant correlations were found between temporal bone size and both temperature and latitude, presumably reflecting Bergmann's rule. Thus, temporal bone morphology appears to partially follow an isolation by distance model of evolution among human populations, although levels of correlation show that a substantial component of variation is unexplained by factors considered here. Am J Phys Anthropol 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Facial Integument of Centrosaurine Ceratopsids: Morphological and Histological Correlates of Novel Skin StructuresTHE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 9 2009Tobin L. Hieronymus Abstract The horned dinosaur Pachyhinosaurus possesses rugose bony bosses across the skull roof in lieu of the projecting bony horn cores seen in most ceratopsians. This elaboration of typical ceratopsian ornaments provides an opportunity to test hypotheses of ceratopsian facial skin morphology and function. We analyze bone morphology and histology associated with several classes of skin features in extant amniotes using a classification tree analysis. We isolate key osteological and histological correlates for unpreserved skin structures, including both a pattern of pitting and resorption characteristic of muskox (Ovibos) frontal horn boss, and a pattern of metaplastic ossification characteristic of rhinoceros nasal horn boss. We also describe correlates for other skin features, such as epidermal scales and horn sheaths. Dermatocranial elements from centrosaurine ceratopsians are then examined for the same osteological and histological correlates. From this comparison we propose that the rugose bosses that replace horn cores in many centrosaurine dinosaurs, most notably Achelousaurus and Pachyrhinosaurus, were covered by a thick pad of cornified skin derived from the caudodorsal side of the primitive horn sheath comparable to the horny boss of extant muskoxen (Ovibos). We examine extant taxa with skin morphologies similar to Pachyrhinosaurus for consistent adaptive relationships between structure and behavior. We determine that high-energy headbutting is consistently associated with the acquisition of thick cornified pads, seen in muskoxen as well as helmeted hornbills [Buceros (=Rhinoplax) vigil] and African buffalo (Syncerus). The association of the bony ornaments of Pachyrhinosaurus with risky agonistic behaviors casts doubt on the role of species recognition as a primary selection pressure driving the diversity of all ceratopsian horns. We conclude that social selection (a broad form of intraspecific competition) is a more appropriate explanation for the diversity of centrosaurine ceratopsian ornaments in the Late Cretaceous. Anat Rec, 292:1370,1396, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Osteological Development of the Garfish (Belone belone) LarvaeANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 5 2009S. Ku Summary Garfish, Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1761) is an elongate, slander fish inhabiting the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. These fish from the Belonidae (Actinopterygii) family have important commercial value for Croatian fisheries. Samples for research were collected from experimental hatching in the Novigrad Sea. Preparation techniques included fixation in buffered formalin, trypsin clearing and staining with alcian blue and alizarin red. As little is known of garfish osteology and bone morphology, the main goal of this study was to describe ossification process in garfish fry. At hatching, no skeletal structure is present. Newly-hatched larvae also had no osteological elements. Ossification started at 7 day post-hatching (DPH) [total length (TL) 18 mm] with head bones and vertebral neural arch. Head skeleton continued to develop mostly over the period from 7 to 10 DPH. At 21 DPH (TL 49 mm), ossification process seemed to be finished, but it was not possible to distinguish borders of all bones. The primary interest of our research was to understand the growth dynamics as well as transformation of supporting body elements from cartilage to bone. At the end, developmental characteristics and functional aspects of this formation in different fish species are discussed. [source] Genetic deficiency of Syk protects mice from autoantibody-induced arthritisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2010Zoltán Jakus Objective The Syk tyrosine kinase plays an important role in diverse functions in hematopoietic lineage cells. Although previous in vitro and pharmacologic analyses suggested Syk to be a possible player in the development of autoimmune arthritis, no in vivo genetic studies addressing that issue have yet been reported. The aim of the present study was to test whether genetic deficiency of Syk affects autoantibody-induced experimental arthritis in the K/BxN serum,transfer model. Methods Syk,/, bone marrow chimeras carrying a Syk-deficient hematopoietic system were generated by transplanting Syk,/, fetal liver cells into lethally irradiated wild-type recipients. After complete repopulation of the hematopoietic compartment, autoantibody-mediated arthritis was induced by injection of arthritogenic K/BxN serum. Arthritis development was monitored by macroscopic and microscopic observation of the ankle joints, micro,computed tomography of bone morphology, as well as a joint function assay. Results Genetic deficiency of Syk in the hematopoietic compartment completely blocked the development of all macroscopic and microscopic signs of arthritis. The Syk,/, mutation also prevented the appearance of periarticular bone erosions. Finally, Syk,/, bone marrow chimeras were completely protected from arthritis-induced loss of articular function. Conclusion Our results indicate that Syk is critically involved in the development of all clinically relevant aspects of autoantibody-mediated K/BxN serum,transfer arthritis in experimental mice. These results provide the first in vivo genetic evidence of the role of Syk in the development of autoimmune arthritis. [source] Extreme obesity due to impaired leptin signaling in mice does not cause knee osteoarthritisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 10 2009Timothy M. Griffin Objective To test the hypothesis that obesity resulting from deletion of the leptin gene or the leptin receptor gene results in increased knee osteoarthritis (OA), systemic inflammation, and altered subchondral bone morphology. Methods Leptin-deficient (ob/ob) and leptin receptor,deficient (db/db) female mice compared with wild-type mice were studied, to document knee OA via histopathology. The levels of serum proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines were measured using a multiplex bead immunoassay. Cortical and trabecular subchondral bone changes were documented by microfocal computed tomography, and body composition was quantified by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Results Adiposity was increased by ,10-fold in ob/ob and db/db mice compared with controls, but it was not associated with an increased incidence of knee OA. Serum cytokine levels were unchanged in ob/ob and db/db mice relative to controls, except for the level of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (keratinocyte chemoattractant; murine analog of interleukin-8), which was elevated. Leptin impairment was associated with reduced subchondral bone thickness and increased relative trabecular bone volume in the tibial epiphysis. Conclusion Extreme obesity due to impaired leptin signaling induced alterations in subchondral bone morphology without increasing the incidence of knee OA. Systemic inflammatory cytokine levels remained largely unchanged in ob/ob and db/db mice. These findings suggest that body fat, in and of itself, may not be a risk factor for joint degeneration, because adiposity in the absence of leptin signaling is insufficient to induce systemic inflammation and knee OA in female C57BL/6J mice. These results imply a pleiotropic role of leptin in the development of OA by regulating both the skeletal and immune systems. [source] | |||||||||||||