Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

This thesis describes a toolbox of complementary techniques that together measure and mechanical properties of bone. Three-point bending is used to measure the mechanical properties of bone; micro computed tomography provides cortical geometry and parameters describing trabecular bone.  The material properties, elastic modulus and density, are measured directly using ultrasound and Archimedes’ principle, while composition and bone chemistry are investigated by ashing and Raman microscopy.  These methods are used to characterise bone from the naturally occurring Gunmetal mouse and the engineered neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) knockout mouse. Comparison was also made between femora and tibiae and cortical and trabecular bone from wild type mice. Gunmetal mice had inferior mechanical properties, but unaffected material and chemical properties.  Cortical area but not second moment of area was also reduced.  nNOS knockouts had superior bone mechanically, due to increased mineralisation and geometrical parameters.  Femora and tibiae had different mechanical and material properties that were not linked to the size or shape of the bones.  Cortical bone  had characteristics of older bone compared to trabecular material, possibly due to the lower turnover rate. These results show the necessity for measuring material properties directly, rather than inferring them from mechanical and geometrical properties.  The differences in femora and tibiae suggest testing only femur or tibia may result in the risk of missing important results.  Application of this toolbox of methods provides a comprehensive description of bone’s overall fitness for purpose and an understanding of the origin of any defect or enhancement in its properties.

In spite of vigorous research efforts to date the induction of bone formation by macroporous coral-derived constructs when implanted heterotopically in the rectus abdominis muscle of the non-human primate Chacma baboon Papio ursinus has not yet been resolved and needs to be assigned. More importantly, the apparent redundancy of molecular signals singly initiating the induction of bone formation in primate species and the heterotopic induction of endochondral bone formation by the mammalian recombinant human transforming growth factor –β3 (rhTGF-β3) isoform have not yet been assigned and need to be mechanistically resolved. Using the rectus abdominis muscle of Papio ursinus the study sought to molecularly determine how coral-derived macroporous constructs and doses of the hTGF-β3 isoform initiate the induction of bone formation. To elucidate the function of osteoclastogenesis and Ca2+, biomimetic coral-derived 7% hydroxyapatite/calcium carbonate (7% HA/CC) devices were supplemented either with 240 μg zoledronate bisphosphonate, an osteoclast binding antagonist, or 500 μg of the calcium channel blocker verapamil hydrochloride. Additionally but in separate coralderived bioreactors, 125 μg rhTGF-β3 and/or 125 μg hNoggin were added to answer the question of how TGF-β3 induces bone formation. All devices were then subsequently implanted within heterotopic sites of the rectus abdominis muscle of 6 Papio ursinus and left in vivo for 15, 60 and 90 days. Harvested specimens were subjected to histomorphometrical and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Collagen Type IV expression supported by extensive vascularisation was detected and observed respectively in all implants after 15 days in vivo. Importantly the zoledronate treated specimens possessed delayed tissue patterning and morphogenesis,

The morphology and function of the wrist is poorly understood. Improved understanding of carpal anatomy may facilitate improved understanding of carpal mechanics and may enhance the clinical management of wrist dysfunction. Many detailed investigations of wrist structure have been reported, many of which have focussed on the scaphoid and its ligamentous supports. The results of these studies are not readily collated to provide an accurate description of the scaphoid and its supports. This study attempted to provide a detailed description of the anatomy of the scaphoid and its supporting structures. A detailed nomenclature was proposed to facilitate accurate description of the scaphoid and related structures. Gross observation enabled separation of the sample population of scaphoids into two groups. Morphometric analyses were used to determine any significant differences between the groups (type one and type two). The histological sections were then used to facilitate accurate gross identification of ligaments and computed tomographs were used to investigate the in situ variation of scaphoid orientation. The investigations suggest that two distinct populations of scaphoid existed within the sample population. The scaphoids varied in bone morphology, arrangement and degree of ligamentous support and position relative to the capitate. Articular facet shape and size differed between scaphoid types. The orientation and number of ligaments supporting the scaphoid were suggestive of variable scaphoid motion. The variation in ligamentous patterns was supported by histological investigation. Computed tomographs through the longitudinal axis of the scaphoid suggested a variable position of the scaphoid relative to the capitate. The variation of these structures was discussed in relation to the kinematic findings of others. A theoretical model of variable scaphoid function was proposed based on the anatomical findings. The data presented and the reviewed kinematic data may be extrapolated to suggest two models of scaphoid motion. The scaphoids may be divided into rotating/translating scaphoids and flexing/extending scaphoids. This must be confirmed by a combined anatomical and mechanical study. The clinical implications of different scaphoid structure and function may be profound. The ability to identify such differences in situ may facilitate varied clinical management for the various types of wrist suggested. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Department of Anatomical Sciences, 2004.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of Toledo, 2006. / Typescript. "Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering." Bibliography: leaves 372-388.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 1999. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis--Catholic University of Leuven.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 212-236). Also available on the Internet.