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Skeletal Analysis (skeletal + analysis)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	33%
Life Sciences	33%

Selected Abstracts

Optimization of Volumetric Computed Tomography for Skeletal Analysis of Model Genetic Organisms

THE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
Sergio X. Vasquez
Abstract Forward and reverse genetics now allow researchers to understand embryonic and postnatal gene function in a broad range of species. Although some genetic mutations cause obvious morphological change, other mutations can be more subtle and, without adequate observation and quantification, might be overlooked. For the increasing number of genetic model organisms examined by the growing field of phenomics, standardized but sensitive methods for quantitative analysis need to be incorporated into routine practice to effectively acquire and analyze ever-increasing quantities of phenotypic data. In this study, we present platform-independent parameters for the use of microscopic x-ray computed tomography (microCT) for phenotyping species-specific skeletal morphology of a variety of different genetic model organisms. We show that microCT is suitable for phenotypic characterization for prenatal and postnatal specimens across multiple species. Anat Rec, 291:475,487, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Ethanol Teratogenesis in Five Inbred Strains of Mice

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2009
Chris Downing
Background:, Previous studies have demonstrated individual differences in susceptibility to the detrimental effects of prenatal ethanol exposure. Many factors, including genetic differences, have been shown to play a role in susceptibility and resistance, but few studies have investigated the range of genetic variation in rodent models. Methods:, We examined ethanol teratogenesis in 5 inbred strains of mice: C57BL/6J (B6), Inbred Short-Sleep, C3H/Ibg, A/Ibg, and 129S6/SvEvTac (129). Pregnant dams were intubated with either 5.8 g/kg ethanol (E) or an isocaloric amount of maltose,dextrin (MD) on day 9 of pregnancy. Dams were sacrificed on day 18 and fetuses were weighed, sexed, and examined for gross morphological malformations. Every other fetus within a litter was then either placed in Bouin's fixative for subsequent soft-tissue analyses or eviscerated and placed in ethanol for subsequent skeletal analyses. Results:, B6 mice exposed to ethanol in utero had fetal weight deficits and digit, kidney, brain ventricle, and vertebral malformations. In contrast, 129 mice showed no teratogenesis. The remaining strains showed varying degrees of teratogenesis. Conclusions:, Differences among inbred strains demonstrate genetic variation in the teratogenic effects of ethanol. Identifying susceptible and resistant strains allows future studies to elucidate the genetic architecture underlying prenatal alcohol phenotypes. [source]

Analysis of interobserver scoring patterns in porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 4 2002
Keith P. Jacobi
Abstract The role of scoring standards has become increasingly important during the last ten years because of issues such as reburial and comparability of data among researchers. The present study considered the efficacy of a proposed standard for porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia, two of the most commonly evaluated pathologies in skeletal analysis. Twenty scorers with varying experience in bioarchaeology and five scorers with no experience in bioarchaeology evaluated 21 partial skulls for three characteristics: presence of pathology, appearance of porosities, and degree of healing. Participants showed good levels of agreement (>80%) when a lesion was considered present, but most scorers never agreed that a specimen was free of pathology when, in fact, it was. Greater variation was seen in evaluation of porosity size among those cranial fragments with lesions. Determination of degree of healing showed even more diversity with 19 of 21 cases having all scoring options given. Level of experience did not appear to make a difference with respect to level of agreement. Virtually the same pattern of results was seen among the five individuals with no familiarity with porotic hyperostosis or cribra orbitalia but with some biological training. These findings suggest that further refinement, especially in the area of photographs and descriptions illustrating minimum and maximum representations of various scoring levels, are necessary to produce scoring standards for porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia that are effective and reliable. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The Effects of Chemical and Heat Maceration Techniques on the Recovery of Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA from Bone,

JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 1 2006
Dawnie Wolfe Steadman Ph.D.
ABSTRACT: Forensic anthropologists use a number of maceration techniques to facilitate skeletal analysis of personal identity and trauma, but they may unwittingly eliminate valuable DNA evidence in the process. This study evaluated the effect of 10 maceration methods on gross bone structure and the preservation of DNA in ribs of 12 pigs (Sus scrofa). A scoring system was applied to evaluate the ease of maceration and resulting bone quality while DNA purity was quantified by optical densitometry analysis, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of three mitochondrial and three nuclear loci. The results demonstrated that while mitochondrial DNA could be amplified for all experiments, cleaning treatments using bleach, hydrogen peroxide, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/papain, room temperature water and detergent/sodium carbonate followed by degreasing had low DNA concentrations and failed to generate nuclear PCR products. In general, treatments performed at high temperatures (90°C or above) for short durations performed best. This study shows that traditionally "conservative" maceration techniques are not necessarily the best methods to yield DNA from skeletal tissue. [source]

The pre-natal development and osseous growth of the human cerebellar field

ORTHODONTICS & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2003
J.F. Lomholt
Structured Abstract Authors , Lomholt JF, Nolting D, Hansen BF, Stoltze K, Kjær I Objectives , To describe the pre-natal development of the bones that enclose the cerebellum and part of the brain stem (the neuro-osteological cerebellar field) in the mid-sagittal plane. Design , Radiographic, cephalometric and histologic examination of normal pre-natal human fetuses; 50 normal fetuses, with crown-rump length of 18,227 mm and approximate gestational age from 6 to 26 weeks. Results , The cerebellar field expressed extensive growth during development both sagittally and vertically. Because of changes in shape, the field was displaced in an anterio-caudal direction. Conclusion , In the present study we recorded normal measurements of size, shape and position of the cerebellar field. These standards can be used as references in skeletal analysis of cases with cranial abnormalities and cerebellar malformations. [source]

New perspectives in forensic anthropology

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue S47 2008
Dennis C. Dirkmaat
Abstract A critical review of the conceptual and practical evolution of forensic anthropology during the last two decades serves to identify two key external factors and four tightly inter-related internal methodological advances that have significantly affected the discipline. These key developments have not only altered the current practice of forensic anthropology, but also its goals, objectives, scope, and definition. The development of DNA analysis techniques served to undermine the classic role of forensic anthropology as a field almost exclusively focused on victim identification. The introduction of the Daubert criteria in the courtroom presentation of scientific testimony accompanied the development of new human comparative samples and tools for data analysis and sharing, resulting in a vastly enhanced role for quantitative methods in human skeletal analysis. Additionally, new questions asked of forensic anthropologists, beyond identity, required sound scientific bases and expanded the scope of the field. This environment favored the incipient development of the interrelated fields of forensic taphonomy, forensic archaeology, and forensic trauma analysis, fields concerned with the reconstruction of events surrounding death. Far from representing the mere addition of new methodological techniques, these disciplines (especially, forensic taphonomy) provide forensic anthropology with a new conceptual framework, which is broader, deeper, and more solidly entrenched in the natural sciences. It is argued that this new framework represents a true paradigm shift, as it modifies not only the way in which classic forensic anthropological questions are answered, but also the goals and tasks of forensic anthropologists, and their perception of what can be considered a legitimate question or problem to be answered within the field. Yrbk Phys Anthropol 51:33,52, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]