Pellagra, a nutritional disease with no known diagnostic skeletal indicators, affected patients in the Mississippi State Insane Asylum (MSA) between 1909 and 1936. The current study employed a sample of the MSA’s death-by-discharge records (N=3445) and a skeletal sample (N=19) from the MSA cemetery to test whether co-occurring alveolar bone loss and reduced bone remodeling in the skeletons can be associated with pellagra mortality in the records. Results of the study were inconclusive as to whether the co-occurring markers are associated with pellagra, but suggest that poor dietary conditions within the MSA, conditions prior to institutionalization, and age, sex, and duration in the asylum affected patients’ pellagra mortality outcomes. Future studies should employ larger skeletal samples to better understand pellagra’s effect on the skeleton. This study and the results of future studies may aid in relief efforts for refugee populations, who are at a heightened risk of developing pellagra.

This investigation explored the utility of mean osteon area, perimeter, and circularity as parameters for distinguishing between human and non-human bone. Although species of origin can be readily ascribed to undamaged remains, this evaluation can become difficult, if not impossible, when bone macrostructure has been obscured through taphonomic processes such as thermal alteration or extreme fragmentation. If mature Ovis aries, domestic sheep, and human osteon metrics area are significantly different, then osteon metrics can be useful parameters for distinguishing between these tissues and, thus, determining the species of origin for a bone sample of unknown provenience. This investigation consisted of histological analysis of cortical bone from 35 O. aries rib samples. O. aries samples were acquired from Riverslea Farm in Epping, New Hampshire (n = 30) and Cedar Ledge Farm in Somers, Connecticut (n = 5). Mean osteon area, perimeter, and circularity were assessed by manually tracing calibrated digital images of rib cross-sections using the ImageJ software from the National Institute of Health (NIH, Bethesda, MD). The results presented here indicate (1) that there are statistically significant histomorphometric differences between species, specifically goat and sheep, (2) that there are significant histomorphometric differences based on the anatomical, intra-rib sampling location, and (3) that the osteon metrics discussed here are may be poor parameters by which to ascribe the species of origin for remains with no known provenience, based on comparisons with findings from other publications.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in an increased fracture risk, partially due to elevations in parathyroid hormone (PTH) that lead to substantial bone loss. On its own, bone loss does not explain bone fragility in CKD, suggesting that changes in skeletal tissue (bone quality) may also be present. Understanding the factors that lead to fracture in these patients will have a substantial impact on patient care and could lead to a better understanding of how to reduce their fracture risk. Due to their suppression of PTH, calcitriol and its analogues are the current standard of care for bone disease in CKD. Yet, surprisingly little is known of their effects on bone. Agents effective in treating osteoporosis are not recommended in advanced CKD due to the lack of data regarding their efficacy and safety in these patients. The goals of the current study were to determine (1) the impact of CKD on bone quality, (2) the ability of calcitriol to improve skeletal parameters, and (3) the efficacy of various pharmacological interventions (calcium, bisphosphonates, anti-sclerostin antibody, and raloxifene) on bone mass, quality, and mechanical properties in CKD bone disease. Using a slowly progressive rat model of CKD, renal and mineral metabolism, bone morphology, bone quality, and bone mechanics (at several length scales) were assessed. Primarily due to elevated PTH, mechanical testing and tissue-level assessments revealed compromised bone quantity (high cortical porosity and low trabecular volume) and quality (high collagen cross-linking and low matrix bound water). Despite clinically relevant reductions in PTH, calcitriol treatment had no positive impact on skeletal properties. Most agents were only effective when PTH levels were normal. Raloxifene, however, led to greater whole bone and material toughness (the ability of bone to tolerate existing damage) despite modest PTH suppression. While the examination of bone quality in CKD is still in its infancy, these results indicate that enhancing bone quality with raloxifene may be an effective means to compensate for bone loss in CKD.

As part of a medico-legal analysis it is necessary to identify if bone tissue is animal or human in nature. This process is complicated when bone is highly fragmented or burned. Previous research has established the ability to differentiate human from non-human bone histologically, however, further research is necessary to determine if this is still applicable in the case of burned remains. In South Africa, approximately 500 deaths and 15 000 fire related injuries occur annually in Cape Town and such fires ranged between 600°C to 1000°C. The aim of this research was to study the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of femur bone microstructure of human and animal bones exposed to different temperatures and to determine the possibility of distinguishing them. The study consisted of 17 femoral bone samples collected from four different species namely; humans (Homo sapiens), pig (Sus scrofa), wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) and cow (Bos taurus). Unburned samples were compared to bone samples burned at 600°C, 700°C, 800°C and 900°C in a muffle furnace for 20 minutes. Bone samples were processed into thin sections for histological analysis. During analysis, each bone specimen was divided into four quadrants and two periosteal regions. For histomorphometric analysis, quantitative characteristics were assessed by measuring the area, perimeter, and minimum and maximum diameter of the Haversian system and Haversian canals as well as osteon circularity and osteon density. According to the qualitative results, the main structural bone tissue observed in all quadrants and two periosteal regions of unburned animal bone was primary vascular plexiform bone and irregular Haversian bone. Human bone consisted of dense Haversian bone. Quantitative results indicated a statistically significant difference in most parameters between species within burned as well as unburned samples (p<0.001). Statistically significant differences in quantitative parameters within human and wildebeest bone were noted at different burn temperatures (p<0.001). Overall, the results showed that heat exposure to bones can affect the bones' quantitative and qualitative characteristics but human and non-human bones can still be differentiated. This histological method can be used in forensic fire cases.

No description available.

Orientador: Eliane Maria Ingrid Amstalden / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T03:49:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Coraca_DeboraCristina_D.pdf: 21833278 bytes, checksum: d8fc3a57a4797f0daf7a2fca22979509 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: A necessidade da utilização de enxertos naturais e/ou materiais sintéticos para auxiliar no reparo ósseo é diretamente proporcional a perda tecidual nas lesões. A administração de substâncias antibióticas é necessária para prevenir, ou mesmo combater a ação de agentes bacterianos que possam vir a retardar o reparo tecidual. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a aplicação de um polímero bioabsorvível associado à uma droga antobiótica na regenereção óssea. Foram realizados implantes ósseos de microesferas da blenda de poli(L-ácido lático)PLLA/poli(óxido de etileno)PEO na composição 80:20 associadas ao cloridrato de vancomicina e não associados ao cloridrato de vancomicina em ratos. Os implantes foram colocados em cavidades de 3 mm de diâmetro realizadas em tíbias de ratos da linhagem Wistar. Grupos com 5 animais cada. foram submetidos a períodos experimentais de 2 e 4 dias e 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 e 32 semanas. Os achados morfológicos foram semelhantes em ambos grupos. Houve primeiramente a formação de malha de fibrina e hemorragia ao redor das microesferas, as quais foram gradualmente sendo substituídas por tecido de granulação. A partir do quarto dia, houve a formação inicial de matriz óssea envolvendo as microesferas centripetamente, tornando-se mais evidente e madura da primeira até a trigésima segunda semana de implantação. A comparação entre os achados histomorfométricos e semí-quantitativos, quanto à formação óssea, demonstraram não ter havido diferença significativa entre os dois grupos. Reações de rejeição tecidual não foram observadas. Pode-se concluir, portanto, que além da evidente osteointegração das microesferas de PLLA/PEO, a associação com o cloridrato de vancomicina não prejudicou a regeneração óssea podendo ser este material utilizado como enxerto, bem como ser útil na prevenção de infecções bacterianas / Abstract: The use of natural graft and synthetic materials to help bone regeneration is directly relative to cause of bone injury and bone requirement to compose a graft. The antibiotics drugs management is necessary to prevent and combat bacterial agents that could retard the tissue repair The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioabsorbable polymeric implants antibiotic associated behavior during the bone healing. Poly(L-lactic acid)PLLA/poly(ethylene oxide)PEO microspheres blends 80:20 vancomicyn associated bone implants, was compared with PLLA/PEO blend without vancomycin. The implants were inserted in a 3 mm proximal tibiae defect in adult Wistar rats. Periods from 2 and 4 days and 1. 2, 4, 8 16 and 32 weeks were evaluated in 5 animals per group. The histological findings were similar among groups. A fibrin net and hemorrhage were observed primarily around the microspheres and both were progressively replaced by granulation tissue. In four-day implant, the initial bone formation around microspheres was noted. The growth of bone tissue was initially characterized by wolven bone with progressive maturation to lamellar bone, centripetally to microspheres group. The quantity of new bone growth, measured by histomorphometric method and semi-quantitative analysis showed no differences between groups in each experimental interval. Therefore we conclude that mixing vancomycin chloridrate into PLLA/PEO microspheres did not affect the bone regeneration. Besides, the PLLA/PEO vancomycin associated microspheres allowed the osteointegration. For those reasons, the material could be used as bone graft, helping the bone repair In addiction, the associating with antibiotic drugs could be useful to prevent infections during bone healing / Doutorado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Doutor em Ciências Médicas

Les archosaures sont un clade de vertébrés comprenant les oiseaux, les crocodiliens, ainsi que de nombreux groupes fossiles. Ce groupe fait depuis plusieurs décennies l'objet d'un important débat parmi les paléontologues quant à l'évolution du thermométabolisme au sein de ses différentes lignées. L'hypothèse classique considère que seuls les oiseaux modernes sont endothermes, tandis que tous les autres archosaures sont ectothermes. L'histologie osseuse permet d'étudier plusieurs traits relatifs au thermométabolisme impossibles à mesurer sur des spécimens fossiles ; c'est pourquoi nous avons utilisé des caractères mesurés sur des coupes histologiques d'os longs.Nous nous sommes consacrés dans une première partie à une revue détaillée de la mesure du signal phylogénétique pour des caractères ostéohistologiques dans deux clades de vertébrés, ce qui nous a permis de mieux définir l'approche à suivre dans la construction de nos modèles prédictifs.Après une étude préliminaire consacrée à l'élaboration d'un modèle prédictif du taux de croissance osseuse, nous avons construit un modèle global capable de prédire directement le taux métabolique de nos spécimens fossiles. Nos résultats montrent que la majorité des archosaures de notre échantillonnage étaient endothermes. Cela implique que le dernier ancêtre commun des archosaures était probablement endotherme, et que les crocodiliens sont donc devenus secondairement ectothermes, probablement en réponse aux contraintes du milieu aquatique. Des études plus spécifiques sur la lignée des pseudosuchiens devraient permettre de déterminer à quel niveau de l'arbre phylogénétique s'est effectué le retour à cet état ectotherme. / Archosaurs are a clade of vertebrates that includes birds, crocodiles, and numerous fossil groups. This clade has been a matter of debate among paleontologists for decades concerning the evolution of thermometabolism in its different lineages. The classical hypothesis considers that only modern birds are true endotherms, whereas all other archosaurs are ectotherms. Bone histology allows to study several traits linked to bone growth rate and thermometabolism, otherwise impossible to estimate on fossil specimens; for this reason, we used characters measured on long bone histological sections.In the first section, we extensively reviewed the measure of phylogenetic signal for osteohistological features in two clades of vertebrates, which was then used to define the methodology for building our predictive models.After a preliminary study during which we built a predictive model for bone growth rate, we built a global model to predict the metabolic rate of our fossil specimens, using both histological features and phylogenetic information for each specimen. Our results show that a majority of archosaurs in our sample were endotherms. This implies that the last common ancestor of archosaurs was likely an endotherm, and that modern crocodiles became secondarily ectothermic, probably in response to their aquatic environment. More specific studies on pseudosuchians should allow to precisely identify the level of the phylogenetic tree at which the ectothermic state was acquired, as well as adaptive constraints behind this acquisition.

This project histologically examined weathering on faunal bones. The sample consisted of a mixture of faunal remains, assessed and assigned to weathering stages (WS) 0-2 from Behrensmeyer’s (1978) scoring method. A total of 77 bones sections were observed for histological analysis. A portion were obtained, partially fleshed, commercially and were placed at the Outdoor Research Facility (ORF) in Holliston, MA. After deposition, bones were collected at specific time intervals allowing for 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 18-month exposure times. Bones were also collected from several outdoor locations in Ohio, having been exposed for an unknown period, and ranging from WS 0-2. Following histological preparation of the sample, the microstructure of each weathering stage was observed using the image analysis software Fiji from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data recorded included the number of cracks present per unit area and the depth of cracking. The number of cracks per unit area for each section of bone was calculated by dividing the number of cracks per section by the total section area resulting in number of cracks per mm2. Depth of cracking was analyzed through maximum crack length and average crack length. This data was compiled and one-way ANOVA tests were applied to determine where weathering stage and exposure time were statistically significant. This was followed by Bonferroni post-hoc analyses which were utilized to analyze the interactions within the WS and exposure time variables; to allow for analysis of statistical significance of WS to one another and exposure time intervals to one another. It was hypothesized that different weathering states would be statistically significant from one another, and microscopically identifiable through a histological examination, and that these would be able to be differentiated from other sources of microtaphonomic alteration including burial and thermal alteration. It was also hypothesized that exposure time would significantly impact the histological characteristics including the number of cracks per mm2 and the maximum and average crack depth. One-way ANOVA analysis indicated that WS has a significant impact on the number of cracks per mm2 and the maximum crack length. No significance was observed for analysis of WS and average crack length. Post-hoc analysis involving the number of cracks per mm2 revealed statistical significance between WS 0 and WS 1, WS 0 and WS 2. Analysis involving maximum crack length indicated significance only between WS 0 and WS 1. Post-hoc analysis involving average crack length did not indicate any statistically significant relationships between the WS. One-way ANOVA analysis of exposure time indicated that exposure time has a significant impact when on all three variables: number of cracks per mm2, average crack length, and maximum crack length. Post-hoc analysis involving the number of cracks per mm2 found that months 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 were all statistically significant from 18 months. Analysis of average crack length revealed that months 0 and 2 were both statistically from 8 months of exposure. Post-hoc analysis involving maximum crack length reveals statistical significance between months 0 and 8, 0 and 12, and 2 and 8. Histological characteristics of weathered bone were found to include delamination and cracking. Delamination was observed on several bones in WS 2 and one in WS 1, while cracking was observed in bones of all stages. Positive relationships were observed between WS and number of cracks per mm2, and between exposure time and cracks per mm2 indicating that as one increased so did the other. No trend was observed for the relationship between exposure time and either of the crack length variables; the same was observed for the relationship between WS and the two crack length variables. Through comparison of the histological characteristics of weathered bone with other sources of microtaphonomic alterations, it was determined that weathering and its histological characteristics are different from other alteration sources, including burial and thermal alteration, to allow for determination of the microtaphonomic process affecting the bone.

The purpose of this prospective, randomized, controlled clinical investigation is to evaluate the performance of the Motorized Ridge Expanders (MRE), and to compare its results with the ones achieved utilizing lateral ridge augmentation (LRA). Eight subjects with bilateral ridge deformities were selected. One technique was used on the right site and the other on the left site. Implants were placed six months after the bone augmentation procedures. All the measurements were recorded at 2 and 5 mm from the most coronal part of the crest. The augmentation achieved with both techniques was statistically significant, 1.2 mm in the LRA, 1.5 mm in MRE at 2 mm from the crest; 1.5 mm and 1.6 mm respectively at 5mm from the crest. The differences between the two techniques were statistically insignificant. The amount of expansion achieved in the MRE site appears to be negatively correlated (P-Value <0.05) with the thickness of the cancellous bone, and it is not affected by the thickness of the cortical plate. The MRE technique appears to be as effective as the LRA technique in augmenting the thickness of atrophic ridges. The defect treated with the MRE showed less bone width contraction during the first 6 months of healing. Histologically, the regenerated bone was vital, trabecular in nature and in direct contact with bone graft particles. / El propósito de esta investigación clínica prospectiva y aleatoria es comparar el aumento horizontal de la cresta alveolar obtenido con el uso de los expansores motorizados de cresta (EMC) y con regeneración ósea guiada (ROG). Fueron selecccionados ocho pacientes con deformidades horizontales del reborde alveolar bilaterales que iban a recibir implantes dentales. Una técnica de regeneración se utilizó en el lado derecho y la otra en el lado izquierdo, para un total de 23 muestras, 13 en el lado experimental (EMC) y 10 en el lado control (ROG). Los implantes fueron colocados seis meses después de los procedimientos de aumento óseo, y se obtuvo una muestra de hueso para estudio histológico. Todas las mediciones clínicas se registraron a los 2 y 5 mm de la parte más coronal de la cresta. El aumento logrado con ambas técnicas fue estadísticamente significativo, de 1,2 mm en la ROG y 1,5 mm con los EMC a 2 mm de la cresta; y 1,5 mm y 1,6 mm, respectivamente, a 5mm de la cresta. Las diferencias entre las dos técnicas no fueron estadísticamente significativas. La cantidad de expansión lograda en el sitio de los EMC parece tener una correlación negativa (p <0,05) con el grosor del hueso esponjoso, y no se ve afectada por el grosor de la cortical. Histológicamente se observó osteoconductividad del injerto óseo y más partículas residuales del mismo en el lado experimental. La técnica de los EMC parece ser tan eficaz como la técnica de ROG en el aumento de la anchura de las crestas atróficas. Los defectos tratados con los EMC mostraron una menor contracción del injerto óseo durante los 6 meses de cicatrización. / El propòsit d'aquesta recerca clínica prospectiva i aleatòria és comparar l'augment horitzontal de la cresta alveolar obtingut amb l'ús dels expansors motoritzats de cresta (EMC) i amb regeneració òssiaguiada (ROG). Es van selecccionar vuit pacients amb deformitats horitzontals bilaterals de la cresta alveolar on es col.locaren implants dentals. Una tècnica de regeneració es va emprar en el costat dret i l'altra a la banda esquerra, per a un total de 23 mostres, 13 al costat experimental (EMC) i 10 en el costat control (ROG). Els implants van ser col.locats sis mesos després dels procediments d'augment ossi, i es va obtenir una mostra d'os per estudi histològic.Totes les mesures clíniques es van registrar als 2 i 5 mm de la part més coronal de la cresta. L'augment aconseguit amb ambdues tècniques va ser estadísticament significatiu, de 1,2 mm a la ROG i 1,5 mm amb els EMC a 2 mm de la carena, i 1,5 mm i 1,6 mm, respectivament, a 5mm de la cresta. Les diferències entre les duestècniques no van ser estadísticament significatives. La quantitat d'expansió aconseguida en el lloc dels EMC sembla tenir una correlació negativa (p<0,05) amb el gruix de l'os esponjós, i no es veu afectada per el gruix de la cortical. Histològicament es observar osteoconductividad l'empelt ossi i més partícules residuals d'aquest en el costat experimental. La tècnica dels EMC sembla ser tan eficaç com la tècnica de ROG en l'augment de l'amplada de les crestes atròfiques. Els defectes tractats amb els EMC mostrar una menor contracció de l'empelt ossi durant els 6 mesos de cicatrització.

No description available.