Piece Of Bone Research Articles

Diagnostic Performance and Radiation Dose of the EOS System to Image Enchondromatosis: A Phantom Study

Background: Radiation doses and capability of EOS, conventional radiography (CR), and computed tomography (CT) to detect and measure enchondromas in a dedicated five-year-old anthropomorphic phantom were compared. Methods: To simulate enchondromas, minced pieces of chicken bone and cartilage were packed in conventional kitchen plastic foil to create ovoidal/rounded masses and randomly hung on the phantom. The phantom was imaged five times with CR, CT, and EOS, each time changing the number and position of inserts. All images were reviewed by a senior radiologist and a radiology resident. Results: EOS and CR detected all inserts in 4/5 cases (80%), while in one case 1/17 inserts was not seen. Excellent agreement of EOS with CR (88% reproducibility; bias = 14 mm; repeatability coefficient (CoR) 2.9; 95% CI from −2.8 to 3.1 mm; p = 0.5) and CT (81% reproducibility; bias = 15 mm; CoR 5.2; 95% CI from −5.5 to 5.2 mm; p = 0.7) was found. EOS showed 71% interobserver reproducibility (CoR 7.2; bias = 0.6 mm; 95% CI from −6.6 to 7.8 mm; p = 0.25). The EOS-Fast radiation dose was also significantly lower than the median radiation dose of CR (644.7 (599.4–651.97) mGy•cm2, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Low-dose EOS has the same capability as CR to detect and measure enchondroma-like inserts on a phantom and may be considered to monitor patients with multiple enchondromas.

Aggressive resection of craniopharyngioma achieved by drilling the tuberculum sellae/planum sphenoidale using a frontal basal interhemispheric approach: A review of 55 cases

ObjectiveThe frontal basal interhemispheric approach (FBIA) is preferable for resection of craniopharyngioma (CP), achieving desirable total resection rates in early reports of lesions located in the suprasellar region to the third ventricle. For tumours that have created a larger obstruction of the tuberculum sellae and planum sphenoidale, aggressive resection in the intrasellar region and medial wall of the cavernous sinus is not feasible compared to improving tumour visualization by drilling the tuberculum sellae and planum sphenoidale. In a report of drilling the sellar tuberculum and sphenoid planum, drilling allowed the direct visualization of tumours invading the intrasellar region and medial wall of the cavernous sinus. Reconstructing the opening of the sellar-sphenoid cavity is achieved by microsuturing a piece of the pericranium/dura around the dural edge of the defective dura of the open sphenoid sinus and sellar cavity to prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Patients and methodsThe FBIA with drilling of the tuberculum sellae and planum sphenoidale was performed to remove the tumours that invaded the intrasellar region and cavernous sinus in 55 patients from January 2014 to October 2019 at our institution. The pre- and postoperative pituitary hormone levels and vision were evaluated as effective standards after surgery and compared using paired t-tests. The different rates of CSF leakage between the packing and microsuture groups were compared by χ2 test, p < 0.05. ResultsIn all patients with a mean 37-month follow-up (range, 3–2 months), 43 (78.2%) patients returned to their normal life or school independently, 7 (12.7%) patients were able to perform normal activities with minor complaints or effort, and 4 (7.3%) patients could care for themselves or only required occasional assistance. One (1.8%) death occurred, attributed to CSF leak-related meningitis at 5 months after surgery. Postoperative CSF leakage occurred in eight (19.0%) of 42 patients with packed bone wax or pieces of muscle to the sphenoid sinus. Of 13 patients with a piece of the periosteum/dura microsutured around the defective dura of the sellar region and open sphenoid sinus, one (7.7%) of 13 patients experienced CSF leakage in the perioperative period. With statistical analysis, there was a potential risk for postoperative CSF leakage in the bone wax and muscle piece in the open sphenoid sinus, whereas microsuture manoeuvres were effective for avoiding the risk of postoperative CSF leakage (χ2 = 8.865, p < 0.005). The microsutures closed the open sphenoid sinus such that it was water-tight. Postoperative visual acuity and the visual field were not affected by the increased intrasellar exposure or the open sphenoid sinus achieved by drilling the tuberculum sellae and planum sphenoidale. ConclusionTuberculum sellae/planum sphenoidale drilling via FBIA is feasible to enhance the direct visualization of CP resection, which expands the intrasellar region with a direct resection of recurrent tumours in the sellar cavity and adhering to the medial wall of the cavernous sinus. The potential risk of a CSF leakage seemed to be mitigated when using water-tight microsutures on a piece of the pericranium/dura around the edge of the defective dura in the sellar region and the open sphenoid sinus cavity.

Efficacy of Periapical Radiography and Three Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Systems for Detection of Peri-Implant Dehiscence Defects: An in- Vitro Study.

Background: Early detection of peri-implant bone defects is highly important because these defects eventually lead to gingival recession, bone loss and implant failure.Objective: This study aimed to assess and compare the efficacy of periapical radiography and three CBCT systems for the detection of peri-implant dehiscence defects.Material and Methods: In this vitro study, 124 titanium implants were placed in bovine ribs. The bone pieces were then mounted in boxes in the form of mandible and red dental wax was used to simulate the soft tissue. Crestal bone defects with 2, 3, and 4 mm depth were created in the ribs using a round bur. Periapical and CBCT images were then obtained. Images were investigated by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists twice with a two-week interval. The results were analyzed using chi-square, Kappa coefficient, Cochrane’s Q and McNemar tests as well as the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results: The two observers showed good agreement in detection of sound and defective samples on periapical radiographs and CBCT scans. The level of agreement was low in detection of two samples with 2 mm defects on CBCT scans taken with Planmeca and NewTom 3G systems at the time of second assessment. NewTom 3G had the highest sensitivity (68.9%, 74.2% and 86.3%, respectively) and specificity (100% for all three) compared to other systems for detection of 2, 3 and 4 mm crestal bone defects. Conclusion: The inter-observer agreement increased with increase in depth of defects. NewTom 3G had the highest accuracy for detection of crestal bone defects.

Heads and tails: The notochord develops differently in the cranium and caudal fin of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar, L.).

While it is well known that the notochord of bony fishes changes over developmental time, less is known about how it varies across different body regions. In the development of the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., cranial and caudal ends of the notochord are overlaid by the formation of the bony elements of the neurocranium and caudal fin, respectively. To investigate, we describe how the notochord of the cranium and caudal fin changes from embryo to spawning adult, using light microscopy, SEM, TEM, dissection, and CT scanning. The differences are dramatic. In contrast to the abdominal and caudal regions, at the ends of the notochord vertebrae never develop. While the cranial notochord builds a tapering, unsegmented cone of chordal bone, the urostylic notochordal sheath never ossifies: adjacent, irregular bony elements form from the endoskeleton of the caudal fin. As development progresses, two previously undescribed processes occur. First, the bony cone of the cranial notochord, and its internal chordocytes, are degraded by chordoclasts, an undescribed function of the clastic cell type. Second, the sheath of the urostylic notochord creates transverse septae that partly traverse the lumen in an irregular pattern. By the adult stage, the cranial notochord is gone. In contrast, the urostylic notochord in adults is robust, reinforced with septae, covered by irregularly shaped pieces of cellular bone, and capped with an opistural cartilage that develops from the sheath of the urostylic notochord. A previously undescribed muscle, with its origin on the opistural cartilage, inserts on the lepidotrich ventral to it.

S2040 “Chicken Wings” Aid in the Diagnosis of a Rare Esophageal Diverticulum: KJD

INTRODUCTION: Killian–Jamieson diverticulum (KJD) is a false pulsion diverticulum that arises in the pharyngoesophageal area of weakness called Killian-Jamieson area. It is located inferolateral to cricopharyngeus muscle in the cervical esophagus and should be considered in the evaluation of dysphagia or globus. Annual incidence of KJD is 1/ 200,000 population and thus far less than 100 cases have been reported. We report a case of KJD who presented after chicken bone struck in diverticulum. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: 59-year-old man with history of GERD presented with acute onset odynophagia and globus localized to the left neck after eating chicken wings the previous night. He did not complaint of dysphagia, regurgitation or cough and was able to tolerate secretions. Physical examination and laryngoscopy was normal. Labs and X-ray of the neck were unremarkable. A CT scan of the neck showed an esophageal diverticulum below the cricoid ring containing foreign body [Figure 1]. Esophagogram revealed normal esophageal motility and left lateral upper esophageal diverticulum measuring 1.5 × 0.8 centimeters consistent with Killian Jamieson Diverticulum(KJD) [Figure 2]. Subsequent EGD revealed a medium sized nonbleeding diverticulum with debris, a small piece of chicken bone and calcified rim adhering to the wall of the diverticulum [Figure 3]. Contents were removed by forceps and biopsies were not performed due to risk of esophageal perforation. Symptoms resolved and patient was referred to a tertiary care center for further management. DISCUSSION: KJD is relatively rare compared to Zenkers diverticulum ( ZD), which is the most common pharyngoesophageal diverticulum. KJDs are unilateral, more frequent on the left side and common among females in the 5th and 6th decades of life. Patients present with aerodigestive symptoms, most common symptoms being dysphagia, Globus, neck pain and odynophagia . A third of the patients are asymptomatic and found incidentally on imaging. Barium swallow is the gold standard for diagnosis and shows a lateral diverticulum in cervical esophagus. Persistently symptomatic diverticula require intervention and transcervical surgical diverticulectomy is the preferred option to restore normal anatomy, reduce the risk of recurrence and carcinogenesis. Diverticulopexy and endoscopic diverticulotomy is an alternative. Endoscopic interventions are gaining popularity because of faster recovery and tolerability.Figure 1.: CT scan of the neck frontal views shows focus of air abutting the lateral aspect of the upper esophagus, just below the level of the cricoid ring measuring 7 × 10 × 12 mm containing hyperdense foci along the inferior aspect, likely representing esophageal diverticulum containing ingested material/foreign body.Figure 2.: Barium swallow esophagogram showing left lateral upper esophageal diverticulum measuring 1.5 × 0.8 centimeters, compatible with a Killian Jamieson diverticulum.Figure 3.: EGD showed a medium sized nonbleeding diverticulum with debris, a small piece of chicken bone and calcified rim adhering to the wall of the diverticulum, just below the upper esophageal sphincter.

Becket’s Cap and the Broken Sword. Jacques de Vitry’s English Mitre in Context

Jacques de Vitry’s embroidered English mitre is one of only three surviving episcopal mitres which portray the martyrdom of St Thomas of Canterbury, and which, moreover, are characterised by the inclusion of unexpected details in the depiction of the murder in the cathedral: Becket’s close-fitting cap, both segments of Richard Brito’s broken sword and Becket’s ‘crown’, the piece of bone severed in Brito’s assault. This study traces the emergence of these details in religious art of various kinds and sets the images on Jacques de Vitry’s mitre and its two companions in the general development of Becket iconography across Europe.

Composition and radioactivity of Oligocene fossil bones and their country rocks in Gabal Qatrani, Fayoum, Egypt

Several pieces of fossil bones of scute (scutum), shells, teeth, ribs, and vertebra belonging to turtle, crocodile, hippo, and other unidentified mammals were collected from the Oligocene Qatrani Formation, Fayoum, Egypt. Natural radioactivity was measured to all samples of the country rocks (mainly sandstone, calcareous muddy sandstone and dolostone), in addition to the bone samples. Petrographic examination, XRD, SEM, and complete chemical analyses were done with an emphasis on the more radioactive samples that comprise both fossil bone samples and dolostone. The main mineral composition of these bones is carbonate fluorapatite (francolite), while dolostone consists of microcrystalline dolomite, which is cemented by gypsum and/or silica. The complete chemical analysis indicates that Ca and P are the main components of fossil bone. The high content of the redox-sensitive elements such as Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Cd, Sn, and Pb is a diagnostic feature of the fossil bones. The total rare earth elements (REE) in fossil bones ranges between 635 and 4984 ppm but decreases to 90 ppm in the dolostone bed. The high content of the REE in fossil bones seems to be a result of interaction with fluids that were heated by the thermal gradients prevailed during the Oligocene volcanic eruptions. The available data indicate that the fossil bones are more enriched in their uranium contents (from 42 to 457 ppm), while the contents in the country rocks include the dolostone range from 1 to 31 ppm. The fraction of heavy minerals of the studied sandstone is generally enriched in magnetite, ilmenite, and leucoxene as opaques especially magnetite and ilmenite (> 50%) and contains a wide variety of non-opaques such as zircon, rutile, garnet, and kyanite among others. These non-opaque minerals have variable but insignificant impacts on the REE pattern and the natural radioactivity of the bone-bearing sediments.

The Accuracy of Three-Dimensional Planned Bone Tumor Resection Using Patient-Specific Instrument.

IntroductionAlthough treatment of bone tumors is multidisciplinary, the complete surgical resection of bone tumors remains the mainstay of the treatment. Patient-specific instruments (PSI) are personalized tools, which help the surgeon to perform tumor resections accurately. The aim of this study is to evaluate how precise the planned resection can be intraoperatively executed with the use of PSI.Patients and MethodsEleven patients who underwent a resection of bone tumor using PSI were analyzed. A preoperative model of the tumor and the affected bone was created from acquired CT scans and MRI. After defining the resection planes, PSI were produced by a 3D printer. The resected piece of bone was scanned and imported in the original planning model enabling the assessment of the distance between the planned resection plane and the realized osteotomy in every direction.ResultsIn overall, the combined error of an osteotomy ranges from 0.74 ± 0.96 mm to 3.60 ± 2.46 mm. The average errors observed in situations with one resection plane (simple osteotomy) are lower than in complex curved osteotomies with multiple planes, in which we also found a greater variance.Conclusion3D planned bone tumor resections using PSI show promising results for precise resection at different anatomical regions. Even if the found error range in this series is slightly higher than reported, PSI remain a valuable tool to facilitate complex bone tumor resections.

Biometría del calcáneo en beneficio de la técnica quirúrgica: estudio cadavérico

BackgroundThe appropriate choice of osteosynthesis material in the surgical technique of internal fixation in calcaneal fractures is of great importance, since it varies from one population to another. In the management of calcaneal fractures, the material is often not adapted to the size and morphology of each patient. A study was carried out to describe the biometric characteristics of the calcaneus, for a better understanding of the dimensions of this bone in our population. MethodsA descriptive study was conducted on 31 bone pieces of calcaneus. The maximum length, height, and length of the lateral wall to the posterior third of sustentaculum tali were measurement and, based on safety zones for risk of anatomical injury; the width was measured in each zones. The angles of Böhler and Gissane were measured by photographs and radiographs. ResultsThe maximum length had a mean of 67.14±4.51mm, the mean of the length of the lateral wall to the posterior third of sustentaculum tali was 34.82±3.28mm, and the mean of the height was 40.11±3.40mm. The width was taken at 6 different points, observing that the zone IIIB has a greater width, with a mean of 25.35±2.67mm. The mean of the Böhler and Gissane angles was 25.45°±4.80 and 25.86°±6; 122.9°±5.81 and 114.15°±9.86; respectively. DiscussionMeasurements of our sample are smaller compared to other populations. However, the angles showed no greater variation. These findings can be used to conduct comparative studies between populations, for evaluating pathological conditions, and adaptations of therapeutic protocols. Level of evidenceIV

TORAKOLOMBER BİLEŞKE DİSK HERNİASYONLARININ CERRAHİ TEDAVİSİNDE POSTEROLATERAL TRANSKAMBİN YAKLAŞIM

Objective: The optimal surgical approach for treatment of thoracolumbar junction disc herniations (TLJDH) remains controversial. Anterolateral retroperitoneal, anterior transthoracic, posterolateral, lateral and transforaminal endoscopic approaches are used in current surgical treatment of TLJDH. In a posterolateral transcambin approach, a small piece of bone is removed from the pars interarticularis and facet joints, and decompression is achieved by discectomy without causing instability. The transcambin approach has advantages such as discectomy without advanced neural tissue retraction, short recovery time and less postoperative complications. Methods: The eight patients with 3 T12-L1 and 5 L1-2 TLJDH who were operated on using the posterolateral transcambin approach between 2016-2018 in our clinic were presented retrospectively. The study included patients with extruded or sequestrated disc herniation that had far lateral, foraminal, and paramedian extension, and caused cauda equina syndrome, conus medullaris syndrome, and radiculopathy. A skin incision and fascia opening were done from midline. The exiting root was revealed at laterally of pars interarticularis by subperiosteally stripping of paravertebral muscles and the removal of disc fragments were targeted. Results: Three male and five female patients with a mean age of 45.1 (32-66). Mean operation time was 57.8 minutes. Preoperative VAS values were 8.75±0.51 and postoperative VAS values were 1.25±0.65. According to the MacNab classification, 62.5% excellent, 25% good and 12.5% were fair. There was no neurological injury, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula, pneumothorax, or operation field hematoma.Conclusion: The transcambin approach was found to be useful in terms of a relatively short operation time, low morbidity probability, and less postoperative pain in patients with TLJDH.&nbsp;

Human bone and amniotic membrane banking in Bangladesh for grafting: the impact of the international atomic energy agency (IAEA) programme.

The idea of establishing a human tissue bank in Bangladesh was started in 1985. However, in 2003, with the active cooperation of international atomic energy agency (IAEA) and Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, a tissue bank laboratory was upgraded as a unit for tissue banking and research. Due to increasing demand of allograft, this unit was transformed as an independent institute "Institute of Tissue Banking and Biomaterial Research (ITBBR)" in 2016. This is the only human tissue bank in Bangladesh, which processes human bone and amniotic membrane to provide safe and cost-effective allografts for transplantation. Importantly, banking of human cranial bone as autograft has also started at ITBBR. These processed grafts are sterilized using gamma radiation according to the IAEA Code of Practice for the radiation sterilization of tissues allografts. The amount of grafts produced by the ITBBR from 2007 to 2018 were 120,800cc of bone chips, 45,420cm2 of amniotic membranes, 277 vials of de-mineralized bone granules (DMB), 95 pieces of massive bones, and 134 pieces of cranial bones. Overall, 112,748cc of bone chips, 40,339cm2 of amniotic membranes, 174 vials of DMB, 44 pieces of massive bones, and 64 pieces of cranial bones were transplanted successfully. Nevertheless, to cope up with the modern advanced concepts of cell and tissue banking for therapeutic purpose, ITBBR is working to set up facilities for skin banking, stem cells banking including amniotic and cord blood derived stem cells and scaffold designing. To ensure the quality, safety, ethical and regulatory issues are sustainable in cell and tissue banking practices, ITBBR always works with the Government of Bangladesh for enhancing the national tissue transplantation programme within the contemporary facilities.

EVA Technology and Proteomics: A Two-Pronged Attack on Cultural Heritage.

A novel way for exploring the world's cultural heritage in the absence of damage or contamination (such as removing pigments in paintings or chipping away pieces of bones) of the items under investigation is here reported, called the EVA technique. It is based on films of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) impregnated with strong anion and cation exchangers, admixed with hydrophobic resins, C8 and C18. When in contact with any surface these films can harvest nanomoles of macromolecules (proteins and DNA) as well as metabolites, which can then be identified by standard instrumentation. Some important applications are reported, such as the findings of the renal pathology and assumption of morphine in the original manuscript of Master I Margarita by Bulgakov, the presence of TBC bacterium in Chekhov's shirt and in a letter by Orwell, the Y.pestis and anthrax bacteria in the death registries of Milan's lazaretto in the 1630 plague bout, as well as ample traces of five metals in Kepler's manuscripts, suggesting his potential practice of alchemy. Also, in the pages of the Memoirs of Casanova, although the gonorrhea bacterium could not be found, spots of HgS could be measured, suggesting its use for curing the disease. A family of EVA films is described, enlarging its use to dedicated applications, such as the capture of drugs of abuse in the pages of famous writers and even in the paintings of fauvists. It is hoped that the present methodology could open the doors of museums, state archives, and private collections for detecting biological traces left by artists, literates, and men of culture in their masterpieces.

Influence of thermodisinfection on microstructure of human femoral heads: duration of heat exposition and compressive strength

Allogeneic bone derived from living donors being necessary to match demand for bone transplantation and thermodisinfection of femoral heads is an established sterilization method. During the thermodisinfection the peripheral bone is exposed to maximum 86 °C for 94 min providing 82.5 °C within the center of the femoral head for at least 15 min. This study examined the compression force of the central and representative peripheral regions of native and thermodisinfected human femoral heads to observe wether different duration and intensity of heat exposure might alter mechanic behaviour. Slices from the equatorial region of human femoral heads were taken from each 14 native and thermodisinfected human femoral heads. The central area revealed a significantly higher compression force for native (p ≤ 0.001) and for thermodisinfected bone (p = 0.002 and p = 0.005) compared with peripheral regions since no relevant differences were found between the peripheral and intermediate areas themselves. A small reduction of compression force for thermodisinfected bone was shown since this did not appear significant due to the small number of specimens. The heat exposure did not alter the pre-existing anatomical changes of the microarchitecture of the native femoral heads from the center towards the peripheral regions. The heterogeneity of microstructure of the femoral head might be of interest concerning clinical applications of bone grafts since the difference between native and thermodisinfected bone appears moderate as shown previously. The different quantity of heat exposure did not reveal any significant influence on compression force which might enable thermodisinfection of preformed bone pieces for surgical indications.

Reproducibility of calcium scoring of the coronary arteries: comparison between different vendors and iterative reconstructions.

BackgroundThe coronary artery calcium scoring (CCS) has been widely used for cardiac risk stratification for asymptomatic patients.PurposeTo assess the reproducibility of CCS performed on four different computed tomography (CT) scanners, and compare the variability between two reconstruction algorithms, filtered back projection (FBP), and iterative reconstruction (IR).Material and MethodsA CCS phantom was made from agar and contained 23 pieces of chicken bones. The phantom was repeatedly scanned using four different CT scanners: Toshiba; GE; Philips; and Siemens. Images were reconstructed using FBP and IR. Agatston and volume scores of total bone fragments were calculated and the overall differences between the instruments were evaluated using the Friedman test. Comparison of the Agatston and volume scores between the two reconstruction algorithms, for each instrument, was evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.ResultsThe difference in the Agatston scores was significantly different between the four machines (P = 0.001). The Toshiba scanner yielded the highest score followed by Philips, GE, and Siemens scanners. There was no difference in the CCS evaluated using the two reconstruction algorithms, except in case of the Siemens scanner (P = 0.032).ConclusionCCS performed on different scanners varied significantly. In the Toshiba, Philips, and GE scanners, there was no significant difference in the CCS determined using either an IR or the FBP algorithm. In the Siemens scanner, applying the IR algorithm resulted in a slightly different scores, which might not be clinically significant.

The Use of Alginate to Inhibit Mineralization for Eventual Vascular Development

Bone is a complex tissue with a complex architecture and numerous types of cells. Bone can contain two different architectures (cortical and trabecular) and several cell types (osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes, neurons, and stem cells to name a few). Nutrient transport is extremely important for a tissue with such complexity in design and cellular population. Therefore, when considering tissue engineering or regenerative engineering, options for bone vascularization must be considered. Along with placement of the vasculature, conditions for vascular development should be of the utmost importance. Optimizing the tissue-engineered scaffold for vascular development can often go overlooked as researchers focus on bone growth and scaffold strength. In this study, we look at scaffold conditions that are best for vascular development in bone scaffolding. Specifically, we investigate how the presence of crystalized calcium phosphate on a scaffold surface affects the ability of vascular endothelial cells to proliferate and differentiate for the eventual production of blood vessels. In addition, we use alginate as a way to maintain a “vascular friendly” surface inside of a mineralized scaffold. The results show that vascular endothelial cells prefer a non-mineralized scaffold and that the presence of alginate on surfaces during mineralization of a scaffold protects that surface from mineralization, making it capable of producing vasculature from seeded vascular endothelial cells. A piece of bone contains many structures, tissues, and cell types. In order to support them all, a bone has an extensive network of blood vessels. This makes the formation of useable blood vessels important for tissue engineering. In this study, we investigate how calcium phosphate formation affects blood vessels inside of bone scaffolds. Specifically, we investigate how calcium phosphate on a scaffold affects blood vessel formation in bone tissue engineering scaffolds. In addition, we use alginate to enhance vessel formation in the scaffolds. The results show that vessel formation is optimal without calcium phosphate on the scaffolds.

Avances realizados en el análisis de muestras óseas recuperadas del sitio Boca de lega (Santa fe, Argentina) a partir de estudios arqueométricos

Se realizaron estudios arqueométricos que involucraron la aplicación de microscopía electrónica de barrido y técnicas termoanalíticas sobre distintas piezas óseas recuperadas del sitio de Boca de Lega (BL), Provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina. El material ósteoarqueológico recuperado de BL, exhibe una baja integridad mecánica y una distribución a nivel superficial, debido a procesos de acumulación de depósitos sedimentarios, re-depósitos y erosión del ambiente fluvial. También se observó signos de posible termoalteración. Los primeros estudios arqueométricos sobre un elemento denominado como BL21, lograron determinar la existencia de accionar antrópico de sociedades pretéritas. A partir de estos resultados, se avanzó en el análisis de otros elementos óseos de BL, denominados BL07, BL26 y BL49, mediante nuevos estudios arqueométricos en donde se aplicaron técnicas analíticas como ser: análisis térmico diferencial, termogramimetría y microscopía electrónica de barrido con microanálisis dispersivo de energías. El uso conjunto de estas técnicas permitió identificar la alta incidencia de componentes edáficos en las muestras como también el registro de un calentamiento que fue superior a 673K/400°C. En virtud de los resultados obtenidos fue posible reconfirmar el muy posible accionar humano como factor originario de la termoalteración previamente observada.

The punched-out tissue complex (skin-bone\xa0\u201dimprimatum\u201c) in shots from captive-bolt guns: does it act as a secondary projectile?

From the first half of the twentieth century to the present day, injuries and fatalities from captive-bolt livestock stunners are a major topic in forensic medicine. The vast majority of cases account for suicides with the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital regions being the most common sites of entrance (in descending order of frequency). Due to the limited length of the bolt, the corresponding wound channel within the braincase is only several centimeters long. It has been a controversial subject for a long time, whether the skin-bone complex punched out by the conically grooved end of the steel rod may act as a “secondary projectile” being propelled beyond the actual path of the bolt. To answer this question, experimental shots from various types of captive bolt-guns were fired to simulants. Video-documentation employing a high-speed motion camera showed that the punched-out pieces of skin and bone did not move further than the bolt. Thus, a secondary extension of the total wound channel could not be observed. However, the suction effect caused by the bolt’s rearward movement may induce a slight retrograde displacement of the skin-bone complex.

Evaluation of teeth injuries in Beagle dogs caused by autoclaved beef bones used as a chewing item to remove dental calculus.

Dental calculus (DC) is the most widespread oral problem in domestic dogs. Chewing items are used to remove DC from the tooth surface; they also favor oral health and animal welfare. Raw beef bone mastication also shortly reduces DC in adult dogs. However, it can cause oral lesions and hence is not popular. This study evaluated the impact of bone mastication on the dental roots, enamel, and gingiva of dogs. Twelve adult Beagle dogs were randomly divided into 2 treatment groups in a completely randomized block design: cortical bone (CB) or spongy bone (SB). Intraoral radiographs were obtained on days 0 and 14, and calculus assessment was performed using images captured on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 14; an integration program was used to measure the proportion between the area covered by calculus and the total area of teeth. DC was completely removed from the first and second premolars and molars from both the arcades in less than 3 days of supplementation, indicating that these teeth were frequently used for chewing (P < 0.10). Bones were highly effective for DC removal and gingival inflammation reduction. Despite the hardness of bones, no lesions or teeth root and enamel fracture, or esophageal or intestinal obstructions—complications related to bone ingestion—were noted. However, SB showed some gingival lesions (n = 4) and bone remnants between teeth (n = 2). Gingival lesions were caused by the daily and continuous supply of new pieces of bone for 13 days. Specific pieces of bone should be used for oral home care programs because they shortly remove almost 90% of DC, allowing longer intervals between periodontal cleaning procedures. Long-term studies are required to evaluate the use of bones and evaluate their impact on teeth and periodontium after prolonged supplementation.

Small Violence

Small Violence Rebecca Bernard (bio) and Morgan Smith (bio) I leave my house to get coffee. I live close to the shop, so it's a short walk, and when I exit my front door and make my way to the sidewalk, there is a man in khakis and a white shirt not too far ahead of me on the path. He's a boy, really, more than a man. Fat cheeked and round-bodied with wire rim glasses. Dirty, blonde hair. As I walk, I begin to overtake him on the path. Just before the street, the sidewalk gets narrow. Weeds choke the fence to our left and a tree's shadow hangs over the thin path. I am less than two feet behind him when the fantasy sets in. I imagine taking out a knife and stabbing him in the neck. I tear through the flesh of his sides, and my mouth waters, my heartbeat begins to heighten, and I feel the exhilaration of being the source of fear. See how easily I could cause you pain. See how with one smack of my umbrella you would not have otherwise known I was there. What would it feel like to murder someone? It's something I must never know. ___ I'm on my way back to my apartment. In the home stretch, there's a woman in a hoodie and jeans just ahead of me. She's looking down at her phone as she walks. I'm coming up on her quickly. So quickly that I'm worried it's too quickly, that she hears my approaching footsteps and is running through what she's been told to do when a man attacks, that she's thinking how best to reach into her purse for a bottle of mace. So I slow down. But now I'm worried it's too slow, that she thinks I'm lurking and gazing, that she's worried I've seen her reach for a means of defending herself. I usually walk quickly. I don't see the point of drawing it out. It gets my heart going. I can't explain this to her, I can't call out, can't apologize for making her feel afraid. What's a speed that says, I'm not trying to hurt you? I'm dying to know. ___ I am a tall woman. I have often used this fact as a means to account for my lack of fear. I am not small or vulnerable, (though of course, to some, I am). I am not little or soft, I am a lanky piece of bone and flesh moving forward, with direction, with fierceness, I imagine, although usually, I want to appear indifferent, lost in thought. I also tend to walk quickly, but this is the result of long legs, more than likely. On the occasions where I fantasize about being attacked, rather than attacking, I always imagine myself preventing the violence by a slew of angry words. I say them to myself in my mind, feel the rage possess me, the way my shoulders [End Page 69] tighten, my throat pulses, fingers stiffen into warped fists. What the fuck, do you think you're doing? How dare you disrupt my right to exist without consequence? I'll knife your heart. I'll eat your fucking face. In high school, I would force my boyfriend to fight me. To pretend to attack me, drag me down, grab my arms, and then I would need to free myself. No matter how hard I fought, I always wound up pinned to the bed, exhausted, suppressing tears of rage about my weakness, his strength. Fuck you, I would think. But it was my game. My desire. My defeat. Why is violence so compelling to me? Why do I imagine myself striking strangers, seeing their confused or startled faces, feeling my humanity larger, fatter, grosser than theirs. I run my tongue along my teeth as I daydream the pain of others. I feel my canines, their sharpness, the point of the tooth causing my mouth to salivate. I press down with the tip of my tongue along...

A Data-Driven Approach for Assembling Intertrochanteric Fractures by Axis-Position Alignment

In clinics, the reduction of femoral intertrochanteric fractures should meet the medical demands of both axis alignment and position alignment. State-of-the-art approaches are designed for merely position alignment, not allowing for axis alignment. The axis-position alignment can be formulated as a least square optimization problem with the inequality constraints. The main challenges include how to solve this constrained optimization problem and effectively extract the semantic of the randomly fractured bone pieces. To address these problems, a semi-automatic data-driven method is introduced. First, the medical semantic parameters are computed, at the beginning of when the 3D input pieces' anatomical areas are labeled by using the deep neural network. A statistical shape model is leveraged to generate the synthetic training data so as to learn the anatomical landmarks of the pieces, greatly reducing the labeling costs for training. The final reduction position of the pieces is obtained through iterative axis alignment and position alignment. Our method is evaluated by three baselines, i.e., the manual assembly of the orthopaedic specialists and two typical bone assembling methods. The presented method solves an optimization problem for assembling intertrochanteric fracture by axis-position alignment. All cases can be successfully assembled with the developed algorithm which is proved to be capable of reaching the clinical demand.