Bone Measurements Research Articles

Hydrogen isotope measurements of bone and dental tissues from archaeological human and animal samples and their use as climatic and diet proxies

Stable hydrogen isotope measurement of body tissues faces analytical and interpretative challenges such as hydrogen exchange with atmosphere or competitive influence of drinking water and food intake. Samples from the Gallic site of Thézy-Glimont, France, have already been investigated isotopically for climate reconstruction and diet investigation of the buried individuals. This allows comparison with the hydrogen isotope composition (δ2H) of bone collagen, tooth enamel and of bulk bone measured for 8 humans and 11 animals. Three of the best-preserved human skeletons were incrementally sampled and show acceptable homogeneity of δ2H values of bone collagen (<5‰) and of bulk bone (<10‰) despite various turnover rates of these tissues. Human tooth enamel records breastfeeding as attested by δ2H values of pre-weaning teeth which are 2H-enriched by +20 to +30‰. We observe that the δ2H of bone collagen and bulk bone are strongly correlated. The δ2H signatures of bone collagen, tooth enamel and bulk bone record both climate conditions and dietary practices, as attested by linear relationships with traditional isotopic proxies (δ18O, δ13C, δ15N) which were previously measured on the same samples, although interpretations depend on the sampling strategy of each study. Measurements of δ2H in bulk bone and dental tissues are more readily achievable than collagen which requires extraction and purification and could become crucial in studies where bone tissue is scarce or when the only available remains are tooth material.

The “post-weanling’s conundrum”: exploring the impact of infant and child feeding practices on early mortality in the Bronze Age burial cave of Moro de Alins, north-eastern Iberia, through stable isotope analysis

The relationship between infant and child feeding practices and early mortality is difficult to address in past societies. Here, stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope measurements of bulk bone and sequential dentine samples of deciduous second and/or permanent first molars of four younger children, one older child, one late adolescent, and two young adults (n = 8) from Moro de Alins cave, north-eastern Iberia, are used to explore the potential impact of early-life nutrition on mortality in the Bronze Age. Isotope results are compatible with generally short exclusive breastfeeding and standard weaning periods compared to other pre-modern populations. However, there are differences in exclusive breastfeeding mean δ13C values and in Δ13C trophic shifts between exclusive breastfeeding and immediate post-weaning isotope values for those individuals who survived into adolescence and adulthood and those who did not. While the former seem to be consistent with trophic distances published for modern mother–infant pairs, the latter are above most of them. This may suggest that individuals who consumed similar foods to their mothers or suffered from less physiological stress during or after weaning had greater chances of survival during early childhood and beyond. Post-weaning seems to have been a particularly stressful period of life, where a number of instances of patterns of opposing isotopic covariance compatible with catabolic changes, often preceding death among non-survivors, are detected. This outcome shows the key role of nutritional and/or physiological status in early-life morbidity and mortality among partially and especially fully weaned children from pre-antibiotic, pre-vaccination, and poor sanitation contexts and proposes that adult survival is rooted in early life experiences, in keeping with the developmental origins of health and disease.

Femoral neck structural properties are altered in adults with type 1 diabetes

AimsTo determine differences in hip geometry in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared with healthy adults without diabetes. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 43 adults with T1D (mean age 56 years, 84 % female, 92 % White, mean duration of diabetes of 39 years, A1c of 7.8 %) and 40 adults without diabetes (mean age 60 years, 80 % female, 77 % white) who had hip dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans from previous studies were included. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and measures of hip structural properties at the narrow neck, intertrochanteric and femoral shaft regions of the left proximal femur were analyzed between adults with T1D and controls using linear models controlled for age, sex, and body mass index. ResultsThere were no significant differences in DXA-based aBMD at the hip (0.769 ± 0.132 vs. 0.900 ± 0.139 g/cm2, p = 0.07) or femoral neck (0.722 ± 0.116 vs. 0.849 ± 0.114 g/cm2, p = 0.09) regions between adults with T1D and controls. When controlling for age, sex, and BMI, DXA-based aBMD at the hip (0.880 ± 0.022 vs. 0.943 ± 0.020 g/cm2, p = 0.02) and femoral neck (0.750 ± 0.021 vs. 0.812 ± 0.020 g/cm2, p = 0.02) regions were significantly lower in adults with T1D than controls. Cortical thickness was significantly lower in all three hip regions in adults with T1D than in controls (narrow-neck: 0.169 ± 0.005 vs. 0.186 ± 0.005 cm, p = 0.011; intertrochanteric: 0.388 ± 0.013 vs. 0.425 ± 0.012 cm, p = 0.017; femoral shaft: 0.529 ± 0.017 vs. 0.586 ± 0.016 cm, p = 0.006). Moreover, adults with T1D had a smaller cross-sectional area at the narrow-neck (3.06 ± 0.09 vs. 3.32 ± 0.08 cm2, p = 0.015), a higher femoral shaft endocortical diameter (2.23 ± 0.07 vs. 2.02 ± 0.06 cm, p = 0.011), and higher buckling ratios (an indicator of cortical instability) at the intertrochanteric (9.22 ± 0.34 vs. 8.23 ± 0.32, p = 0.016) and femoral shaft (3.32 ± 0.15 vs. 2.89 ± 0.14, p = 0.016) regions. ConclusionsAdults with T1D have several significant differences in proximal femur morphology compared with controls. These morphological differences may adversely affect the mechanical integrity of the proximal femur, thereby contributing to an increased risk of fracture in the event of a fall.

Comparison of Tibial Geometry, Density, and Strength in College-Aged Female Eumenorrheic Dancers, Gymnasts, and Runners: A Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography Study

Weightbearing activities such as gymnastics, soccer, weightlifting, and running have often been used as benchmarks in skeletal research since they have been shown to promote densitometric and geometric benefits. In comparison with other sports, there is a paucity of information in relation to dance and its osteogenic potential. This study aimed to compare tibial geometry, density, and strength in college-aged dancers versus gymnasts and runners.<br/> Methods: A total of 60 trained eumenorrheic collegiate-aged female dancers (n = 11), gymnasts (n = 11), runners (n = 19), and sedentary controls (n = 19) were included in the study. Bone measure- ments, including total area (ToA), volumetric (total vBMD) and cortical density (CoD), compressive bone strength (BSI), and polar strength stress index (SSIp) of the dominant limb, were assessed using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the distal and proximal tibia (4% and 66% of limb length).<br/> Results: No significant differences in ToA, CoD, CoA, and total vBMD were found between dancers and the comparison athletes at the measured sites. In addition, strength indices (BSI and SSIp) at the distal and proximal sites were similar between the dancing and both athlete groups.<br/> Conclusion: Results suggest dance elicits similar structural adaptations at the tibia compared to benchmark high-impact and repetitive impact sports; thus, indicating dance, in its various forms, can have a positive effect on important bone variables that influence density and strength. These adaptations may potentially delay or prevent bone fragility later in life. Future studies should compare individual styles of dance separately, longitudinally, and include other important lower (e.g., hip) and upper body (e.g., radius) sites to further identify which forms provide the greatest osteogenic benefits.

Alveolar bone measurements in magnetic resonance imaging compared with cone beam computed tomography: a pilot, ex-vivo study

Objectives To compare alveolar bone height and width measurements from zero-echo-time MRI (ZTE-MRI) and cone beam CT (CBCT), in human specimens. Material and methods Twenty posterior edentulous sites in human cadaver specimens were imaged with CBCT and ZTE-MRI. Bone height and width at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 mm from the top of the alveolar ridge was measured by two trained observers in cross-sections of a site where an implant was to be planned. Twenty percent of the sample was measured in duplicate to assess method error and intra-observer reproducibility (ICC). The differences between CBCT and ZTE-MRI measurements were compared (t-test). Results Inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was >0.90. The method error (average between observers) for bone height was 0.45 mm and 0.39 mm, and for bone width (average) was 0.52 mm and 0.80 mm (CBCT and ZTE-MRI, respectively). The majority of the bone measurement differences were statistically insignificant, except bone width measurements at 5 mm (p ≤ .05 for both observers). Mean measurement differences were not larger than the method error. Conclusion ZTE-MRI is not significantly different from CBCT when comparing measurements of alveolar bone height and width.

Evaluation of trabecular bone and mandibular cortical thickness in adults with different vertical facial types

This study investigated differences in trabecular structure and mandibular cortical thickness in adults related to vertical facial type (VFT), sex, and their interactions. Lateral cephalometric radiographs (LCRs) and panoramic radiographs (PRs) of 256 patients were reviewed. The VFT classification into low-angle, normal, and high-angle groups was determined using angular and linear measurements on LCRs. Fractal dimension (FD) values and mandibular radiomorphometric indices (RMIs) were calculated on PRs. Two-way analysis of variance revealed significant differences in FD overall among VFT groups in all sites (P < .001), with pairwise comparisons indicating the greatest values in the high-angle group in the condyle (P < .05) but in the low-angle group elsewhere (P < .001). RMIs were significantly different overall regarding VFT only in the posterior mandible (P=.004), with pairwise comparisons revealing low-angle and normal group values greater than high-angle group values (P < .05). Patient sex and the interaction of facial type and sex had no significant effect on any bone measurements. VFT had significant effects on trabecular structure at all measured sites, but cortical thickness was affected only in 1 location.

Inter-Rater Reliability and Correlation of L1 Hounsfield Unit Measurements with DXA Scores

Introduction: While prior studies have generally reported rigorous protocols using prespecified CT scanner settings for HU measurements, the present study sought to report on the correlation between DXA and HUs recorded using several CT scanners with varying sequences, simulating measurements performed in “real-world” hospital and Emergency Department (ED) settings. Methodology: Six raters performed HU measurements of trabecular bone at the L1 vertebral body for forty consecutive patients on Phillips and General Electric (GE) abdominal CT scans obtained between 2017 and 2021. Inter-rater reliability of the HU measurements and their correlations with recorded DXA-based bone assessments were determined. Correlation coefficients were calculated for the HU measurements between scanner vendors as well as for the CT HUs with each DXA measurement. Results: The ICC for L1 HUs read on the Phillips and GE scanners were 0.85 and 0.82, respectively, indicating excellent agreement. The correlation coefficient for the mean HUs on the Phillips and GE scanners was 0.92, also indicating excellent correlation. For both scanner vendors, the HU values most closely correlated with the total femur and femoral neck T-scores. Conclusions: HU values recorded on a Phillips and GE scanner both demonstrated excellent inter-rater reliability. Correlations were strongest between L1 HU values and total femur DXA T-scores. Readily available abdominal CT image data across multiple hospital settings can be utilized by providers of varying level of imaging interpretation expertise to determine vertebral body Hounsfield units that may help identify osteoporosis risk without additional radiation exposure or cost.

Differential Blood Counts Do Not Consistently Predict Clinical Measurements of Bone Mineral Density and Microarchitecture at Homeostasis.

ABSTRACTThe hematopoietic stem cell niche constitutes a complex bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. Osteoporosis is characterized by both reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and microarchitectural deterioration, constituting the most frequent alteration of the BM microenvironment. It is unclear to which extent modifications of the BM microenvironment, including in the context of osteoporosis, influence blood cell production. We aimed to describe the association between lumbar spine and total hip BMD and microarchitecture (assessed by trabecular bone score [TBS]) and differential blood counts. Data were collected at two time points from 803 (first assessment) and 901 (second assessment) postmenopausal women participating in the CoLaus/OsteoLaus cohort, a population‐based sample in Lausanne, Switzerland. Participants with other active disease or treatment that could influence hematopoiesis or osteoporosis were excluded. Bivariate and multivariate associations between each peripheral blood cell count and BMD or TBS were performed. Additionally, participants in the highest BMD and TBS tertiles were compared with participants in the lowest BMD and TBS tertiles. At first assessment, only neutrophils were significantly different in the lowest BMD and TBS tertile (3.18 ± 0.09 versus 3.47 ± 0.08 G/L, p = 0.028). At the second assessment, leucocytes (5.90 ± 0.11 versus 5.56 ± 0.10 G/L, p = 0.033), lymphocytes (1.87 ± 0.04 versus 1.72 ± 0.04 G/L p = 0.033), and monocytes (0.49 ± 0.01 versus 0.46 ± 0.1 G/L, p = 0.033) were significantly different. Power analysis did not identify quasi‐significant associations missed due to sample size. Although significant associations between blood counts and BMD or TBS were found, none was consistent across bone measurements or assessments. This study suggests that, at homeostasis and in postmenopausal women, there is no clinically significant association between the osteoporotic microenvironment and blood production output as measured by differential blood counts. In the context of conflicting reports on the relationship between osteoporosis and hematopoiesis, our study represents the first prospective two time‐point analysis of a large, homogenous cohort at steady state. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Can Ultrasonographic Measurement of Bone Cortical Thickness Predict Osteoporosis?

In this study, we aimed to describe a more accessible and safe diagnostic tool for osteoporosis or osteopenia diagnosis. We utilized cortical thickness (CoT) measurement of various bones via ultrasonography and evaluated the method's accuracy relative to bone mineral density (BMD) results determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A total of 200 volunteers (all female) who agreed to participate in the study and had undergone BMD measurement (femoral or vertebral) were included in the study. Patients with normal BMD result (≥-1.0 T-score) were defined as controls. CoT measurements were made from three bones (radius, tibia, and second metatarsal) for each patient via ultrasonography. Radius CoT and tibial CoT measurements of both femoral and vertebral osteoporotic or osteopenic patients were significantly higher compared to controls. Second metatarsal CoT of femoral osteoporotic and osteopenic patients was also found to be significantly higher than the control group. We found tibia CoT and radius CoT to have high sensitivity and positive predictive value in identifying patients with abnormal femoral T-scores (<-1). In multivariable analyzes, radius CoT was found to be independently predictive in distinguishing patients with abnormal T-score (<-1) from controls in both the femur and vertebral BMD groups. Radius CoT and tibia CoT values appear to have value in predicting patients with abnormal T-scores measured via DXA. This method may be a very simple technique that can be used for early detection of osteoporosis and osteopenia, but its results need to be supported by more comprehensive studies.

Exploring Mechanisms Underlying Unexplained Air-Bone Gaps Post-Myringoplasty: Temporal Bone Model and Finite Element Analysis.

Air-bone gap (ABG) is an essential indicator of middle ear transfer function after myringoplasty. However, there is still uncertainty about the mechanisms behind unexplained ABGs in patients post-myringoplasty. The present study investigated these mechanisms using cadaveric temporal bone (TB) measurement and finite element (FE) modeling. Three conditions of tympanic membrane (TM) perforation were modeled with a perforated area of 6%, 24%, and 50% of the total TM area to simulate a small, medium, or large TM perforation of TB model. A piece of paper was used to patch the TM perforation to simulate the situation post-myringoplasty. In the FE model for post-operation, the material properties at the perforation area were changed. Measurement of TM vibration at the umbo was undertaken with a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV). As the perforated area increased vibration of the TM at the umbo decreased in both the TB and FE models. But the reduction of TM vibration is more minor in the FE model than in the TB model. After the perforation was repaired, the displacement of TM at the umbo could not be recovered totally in the TB and FE models. In the FE model, the displacement of TM at the umbo decreased markedly when the cone shape of TM flattened, and the reduction was almost the same as that in the TB model in the condition of large perforation. The material properties and the anatomical shape of the repaired TM could influence the TM's modal motion and wave motion. Except for appearance and shape current clinical instruments are unable to resolve factors that affect TM motion. Consequently the ABG seen post-myringoplasty remains unexplained.

Aging of the Nose: A Quantitative Analysis of Nasal Soft Tissue and Bone on Computed Tomography.

Morphologic and anatomical changes of the aging nose affect the surgical strategy of rhinoplasty in older patients, but age-related changes in noses have yet to be fully characterized. This study aimed to determine the evolution of nasal soft tissue and bone in aging noses using computed tomography. Computed tomographic images of 200 Asian patients were included. The study population was divided into two groups according to age and sex: a younger group (20 to 35 years of age) and an older group (65 to 80 years of age). Measurements of nasal soft tissue and bone on computed tomography were performed using Osirix 9.0 software. With regard to soft-tissue changes, the nasal skin and soft-tissue envelope thickness at rhinion, supratip, and nasal tip increased significantly with aging in both sexes. Increase of nasal depth and decrease of nasolabial angle were significant in both sexes. Nasal length and nasofrontal angle showed significant age-related increases in men; decrease of nasal tip angle and increase of pyramidal angle were significant in women. With regard to nasal bone changes, the bone length decreased significantly in women and the bone thickness decreased significantly in both sexes. Nasofrontal angle in men and pyramidal angle in women increased significantly. These results suggest that the aging process leads to drooping of the nasal tip, thickened nasal skin and soft tissue, and resorption of the nasal bone, providing a reference for rhinoplasty in older patients.

851 3D Printing Technology in Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Maxilla and Mandible at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH)

Abstract Aim Since its development, three-dimensional (3D) printing has been used successfully in many industries, however its use in surgery is still in its infancy. We present two cases where 3D printing technology was used to aid surgical planning and guide free-flap microsurgical reconstruction. Method A free fibula flap was performed following a hemi-maxillectomy for a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the palate. 3D-technology was used to design the position of the osteotomies, osteosynthesis and osseo-integrated dental implants by our in-house 3D technician. A 3D-printed cutting guide was created for the fibula and a custom-made titanium plate was designed for the maxillary reconstruction. Similar 3D-technology was used in a free DCIA flap mandibular reconstruction following resection of a mandibular ameoblastoma. Lower limb CTA showed bilateral peronea arteria magna. Thus, a DCIA flap was performed. A 3D computer-aided design-model for the surgical procedure was created allowing for precise measurement of iliac crest bone and cutting guides were created to aid mandibular resection and ensure accurate bone harvest. Results Both patients underwent successful reconstruction, the flaps maintained good perfusion with strong and consistent doppler signals with healthy skin paddles post-operatively. The patients recovered well; one remains in the immediate post-operative period and one-month follow-up of the DCIA flap showed good position of the bone flap with reasonable movement of the mandible. Conclusions 3D technology has the potential to improve the quality of craniofacial reconstructions. This technology allows the reconstructive surgeon to improve accuracy, demonstrate complex anatomy, plan and execute complex surgical plans with improved functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Association of Abdominal Aortic Calcification with Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography Bone Measures in Older Women: The Perth Longitudinal Study of Ageing Women

We have previously shown that abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), a marker of advanced atherosclerotic disease, is weakly associated with reduced hip areal bone mineral density (aBMD). To better understand the vascular–bone health relationship, we explored this association with other key determinants of whole-bone strength and fracture risk at peripheral skeletal sites. This study examined associations of AAC with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT)-assessed total, cortical and trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD), bone structure and strength of the radius and tibia among 648 community-dwelling older women (mean ± SD age 79.7 ± 2.5 years). We assessed associations between cross-sectional (2003) and longitudinal (progression from 1998/1999–2003) AAC assessed on lateral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images with cross-sectional (2003) and longitudinal (change from 2003 to 2005) pQCT bone measures at the 4% radius and tibia, and 15% radius. Partial Spearman correlations (adjusted for age, BMI, calcium treatment) revealed no cross-sectional associations between AAC and any pQCT bone measures. AAC progression was not associated with any bone measure after adjusting for multiple comparisons, despite trends for inverse correlations with total bone area at the 4% radius (rs = − 0.088, p = 0.044), 4% tibia (rs = − 0.085, p = 0.052) and 15% radius (rs = − 0.101, p = 0.059). Neither AAC in 2003 nor AAC progression were associated with subsequent 2-year pQCT bone changes. ANCOVA showed no differences in bone measures between women with and without AAC or AAC progression, nor across categories of AAC extent. Collectively, these finding suggest that peripheral bone density and structure, or its changes with age, are not associated with central vascular calcification in older women.

Anterior mandibular alveolar bone measurements between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals using cone-beam computed tomography.

An adequate alveolar facial bone thickness (FBT) and facial bone height (FBH) in the mandibular anterior region is essential for implant placement. However, the diabetic condition may affect FBT and FBH. The aim of the study is to compare the alveolar FBT and FBH in the anterior mandibular region of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals utilizing Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images. This cross-sectional study was conducted in dental clinics of Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 46 CBCT images belonging to the diabetic (n=23) and non-diabetic (n=23) individuals were obtained from the radiographic image database of the hospital. The alveolar FBT and FBH in the anterior mandibular region were measured directly on CBCT images using Galileos 3D Digital Imaging System in Sagittal and cross-sectional view. The comparison of mean FBT between non-diabetic and diabetic individuals in central incisors (0.96±0.25 vs. 0.79±0.24, p=0.025) and lateral incisors (1.00±0.23 vs. 0.78±0.17, p=0.001) showed a statistically significant difference. Similarly, the mean FBH between non-diabetic and diabetic individuals differed significantly in central (31.37.96±2.98 vs. 26.07±6.58, p=0.001) and lateral incisor (31.20±3.05 vs. 26.79±6.83, p=0.008) regions. Based on our study, non-diabetic individuals showed higher alveolar FBT and FBH levels than diabetic individuals. Hence, diabetic condition affects the alveolar FBT and FBH around the central and lateral incisor regions.

Comparison of the Efficacy of the Panoramic and Cone Beam Computed Tomography Imaging Methods in the Surgical Planning of the Maxillary All-On-4, M-4, and V-4.

This study is aimed at analyzing the difference between the measurements made according to certain anatomical signs of the maxillary jaw using panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to decide whether to use all-on-4, M-4, or V-4 configuration to prevent complications caused by incorrect measurements during the presurgical planning stage of the placement of implants in the all-on-4 technique. A retrospective study was conducted with 50 patients with upper edentulous jaws suitable for the all-on-4 technique, who underwent preoperative panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography evaluation for dental implant surgery. The shortest vertical distances between anatomical structures were measured. Measurements were made independently by two oral and maxillofacial surgeons, one experienced and the other inexperienced. A statistically significant difference was found between the mean values according to gender (p=0.045). When the measurements made by the experienced surgeon and the inexperienced surgeon were compared, there was no significant difference between panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography. In situations where bone measurements are required for deciding on all-on-4 or one of its configurations (M-4 and V-4), it was found that panoramic radiography gives significantly incorrect results compared to cone beam computed tomography (p<0.05). Cone beam computed tomography is more reliable than panoramic radiography and eliminates the margin of error in the planning of all-on-4 or its variations to be made by either an experienced or an inexperienced oral surgeon.

Dietary Saturated Fat and Bone Health in Young Adults: The Young Finns Cohort

Previous studies suggest that saturated fat (SFA) intake may negatively impact on bone. However, few human studies on the topic exist. Women and men aged 31–46 years from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study attended the peripheral quantitative computed tomography and ultrasound bone measurements in 2008 (n = 1884–1953, ~ 56% women). In addition, fracture diagnoses in 1980–2018 were searched for the national health care registers and 431 participants had at least one fracture. Food consumption was gathered with the 48-h dietary recall interviews and food frequency questionnaire in 1980–2007. In the present study, radial, tibial, and calcaneal bone traits, and fractures were examined relative to the long-term intake of SFA. No consistent associations were seen between bone outcomes and SFA intake that would have replicated in both women and men. The only evidence for differential distributions was seen in cortical density and cortical-to-total area ratio at the radial shaft, and speed of sound at the calcaneus, which were 0.1–0.4% higher in women in the lowest tertile of SFA intake compared with the highest tertile. In addition, among men, the odds ratio (OR) of fractures was greater in the second (OR 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–3.33) and third tertile of SFA intake (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.38–4.36) compared with the lowest tertile, independently of many risk factors of osteoporosis. In this observational study, we found no robust evidence of the associations of dietary long-term SFA intake with bone outcomes. Therefore, additional studies are needed to confirm the association of dietary SFA with bone health in humans.

A Comparative Measurement of Edentulous Bone Between Cone Beam Computed Tomography vs. Dentascan CT in Implant Patients: In Vivo Study

Aim: To compare the linear and mesiodistal measurement of alveolar edentulous bone between CBCT and Dentascan CT. Vivo-comparative study. Materials and Methods: 30 implant patients were selected among the partially edentulous ridge in pre-maxillary region. After using a radiographic stent splint (3×3 mm square), a CBCT and Dentascan was scanned. Linear and mesiodistal radiographic evaluations were performed from a built-in software tool. The student unpaired t-test was used for finding significant difference in between and within group. P-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Linear Radiographic Evaluation by Dentascan was 20.75 ± 2.14 and by CBCT was 20.86 ± 2.18, Mesiodistal Radiographic Evaluation by Dentascan was 6.71 ± 0.70 and by CBCT was 6.79 ± 0.70. Conclusion: The linear assessment of the implant site taken on Dentascan was almost similar to that recorded on CBCT and P-value is not significant (&gt;0.05).

The repeatability of standard cranial measurements on dry bones and MSCT images.

This study examined if the cranial measurements from Data Collection Procedures for Forensic Skeletal Material 2.0 are repeatable when measured in dry bones and MSCT images and if the virtual measurements correspond to the physical ones. The sample included 33 dry crania imaged by MSCT. Two observers measured dry bones, two placed landmarks on 2D and 3D MSCT reconstructions, and one conducted measurements/landmarking on both media. One of the observers for each media repeated the measurements. Technical and relative technical error of measurement (TEM and rTEM) and percentage differences were calculated to examine the repeatability of measurements and compare measuring modalities. Intraobserver rTEM was above 1.5% for six bone measurements: FOB, ZOB, OBB, NLH, DKB, MDH (1.51%-4.87%) and for seven MSCT measurements: OBH, FOB, OBB, MDH, NLB, ZOB, DKB (1.57%-5.55%). The interobserver rTEM was above the acceptable level (>2%) for 11 measurements: PAC, NLH, OBB, EKB, MAL, FOB, NLB, OBH, ZOB, DKB, and MDH (2.01%-9.34%). The percentage differences were not systematically larger for measurements taken by the same user on both modalities than those obtained by different users on the same modality. When physical and MSCT measurements were tested on sex classification standards, the proportion of crania classified as male or female did not significantly differ (p > 0.05). The study showed that physical and virtual cranial measurements could be interchangeable for developing or applying sex estimation standards. However, clarifications and adaptations are necessary for measurements of mastoid, nasal, and orbital regions that did not meet the standard criteria.

Effect of pre-conceptional nutrition and season on fetal growth during early pregnancy in sheep

Gestational age in sheep can be closely predicted through ultrasonographic measurement of fetal bones when correlated to standardized fetal growth curves. However, these standardized curves do not account for factors that are known modulators of fetal growth, such as maternal nutrition or health status. Despite being seasonal breeders, and studies reporting an effect of season on birth weight, the influence of season on fetal growth has not been well characterized. In this study, we hypothesized that season of conception will affect fetal growth curves during mid-gestation and that pre-conceptional nutrition would have no effect. We investigated this by provisioning treatments of low, control, and high planes of nutrition during the lactation and flushing pre-conceptional periods to multiparous Dorset x Polypay and Dorset ewes over two seasons (the optimal breeding season [n = 97] and the suboptimal breeding season [n = 104]). Females were mated naturally with mating dates recorded, fetal biparietal diameter measured via ultrasound between gestational days 35–71, and newborn weights recorded at lambing. Pre-conceptional nutritional treatments did not affect fetal biparietal diameter. However, low vs. high nutrition in the pre-conceptional lactation (but not flushing) period resulted in reduced lamb birth weights (P < 0.001). Early fetal growth tended to be faster in the suboptimal breeding season than in the optimal breeding season (P < 0.061) with lambs being heavier at birth in the optimal breeding season (P < 0.001). There was no effect of fetal sex or litter size on fetal biparietal diameter during the first half of pregnancy, however both sex and litter size influenced lamb birth weight (P < 0.001) with males being heavier than females and singletons being heavier than twins and triplets. Mating date within the flushing period had a significant effect on lamb birth weight regardless of season and independent of treatment, with ewes that conceived later in the flushing period having heavier lambs at birth (P = 0.007). These findings suggest that pre-conceptional under- or overnutrition resulting in substantial changes in body condition does not affect fetal growth during the first half of pregnancy. However, the reduction in lamb birth weight indicates that pre-conceptional maternal nutrition during the previous lactation period may affect fetal growth later in pregnancy.

Using asynchronous quantitative computed tomography for opportunistic screening of osteoporosis

The aim – to determine the possibility of identifying individuals with osteoporosis using asynchronous computed quantitative tomography (CT) of the proximal femur by comparison with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DХA).Materials and methods. The study included 40 postmenopausal women and 6 men over 50 years old (Me of age – 72.5 [65.3; 77.7] years) referred by the attending physician for densitometric examination. The patients signed an informed consent. The measurements were performed on a DXA with a narrow fan beam (Lunar Prodigy Advance, GE Healthcare, USA), and QCT on the Aquilion 64 (Canon Medical Systems, Japan). Correlation analysis and comparison of projected bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), measurement area and T-score using the Blend – Altman method were carried out.Results. A statistically significant correlations were revealed between the indicators of DXA and asynchronous QCT: for femoral neck BMD r=0.93; for the T-score r=0.93; for the total hip – r=0.91 and r=0.91 respectively. When conducting the analysis using the Blend – Altman method, it was found that the QCT underestimated the value of the femoral neck BMC (bias –0.923 g), covered a smaller area of interest (bias 0.376 cm2 ), and therefore there was a shift in the values of BMD by –0.224 g/cm2 . The value of the T-score for the femoral neck had bias –0.29 standard deviations (SD), and for the total hip –0.72 SD, which were statistically significant.Conclusions. There was a high correlation between quantitative indicators of bone tissue of the proximal hip, assessed using QCT and DXA. The BMD and T-score values for the femoral neck and the total hip at QCT were lower compared to the values of the DXA results. Considering the conducted research, it is recommended that when introducing asynchronous QCT into clinical practice to identify people with osteoporosis, a synchronous phantom should be pre-scanned to compare the QCT and DXA results, followed by adjusting the BMD and T-score values for QCT by the average difference between them.