156 research outputs found
Fracturas do fémur proximal em duas colecções osteológicas identificadas portuguesas
As fracturas conhecidas por «fracturas osteoporóticas» ocorrem normalmente após um trauma moderado em locais esqueléticos ricos em osso trabecular, como a extremidade proximal do fémur (anca), a extremidade distal do rádio (fracturas de Colles) e as vértebras. Conquanto as fracturas sejam muito comuns em paleopatologia, a maioria remete para um evento traumático e não para a fragilidade intrínseca ao próprio osso. A literatura paleopatológica é escassa relativamente a fracturas cujo vector primordial seja a perda de massa óssea ligada ao envelhecimento. As descrições de fracturas da anca, principalmente, são incomuns. Não obstante, a literatura sobre este tipo de fractura em contextos arqueológicos tem aumentado nos últimos anos, demonstrando a sua inequívoca existência em populações do passado. As fracturas da anca foram estudadas em duas colecções esqueléticas identificadas portuguesas (Coimbra e Lisboa). A sua prevalência foi comparada e confrontada com indicadores demográficos, socioeconómicos e antropológicos
Osteoporosis and paleopathology: a review
Osteoporosis is a complex and heterogeneous disorder, of multi-factor aetiology. It is the most frequent metabolic bone disorder, affecting an increasing number of post-menopausal women and aging individuals from both sexes. Although first recognized more than 250 years ago, the clinical and epidemiological knowledge about osteoporosis is largely limited to the last 70 years. Within the conceptual frames of paleopathology, disease is necessarily perceived in a space without depth (the skeleton) and of coincidence without development (the crucial moment of death) -but is also interpreted in a time interval which adds an historical gaze to its "biography". The study of osteoporosis in past populations (which faced sociocultural conditions utterly different from the genus vitae experienced by modern communities) supplements diachronic depth to the knowledge about bone modifications related to age, menopausal status or lifestyle. This article aims to provide a comprehensive record on the history of osteoporosis and fragility fractures as perceived by the biomedical, historical and, particularly, paleopathological sciences. As such, the main focus of this review is to present an exhaustive and historical-framed exposition of the studies of osteoporosis, bone loss and associated fractures within the field of paleopathology and, to a lesser extent, in the history of medicine. A biomedical-oriented synopsis of the main operational definitions, etiological agents and epidemiological features of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures is also provided
Rib fractures in the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection
There is a high prevalence of rib fractures in human remains from archeological contexts, but these are seldom the focus in paleopathological studies pertaining skeletal trauma. This study aims to document rib fracture patterns in the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra. Specific aims of this study included the estimation of rib fracture prevalence in 252 individuals, from both sexes (females: 128; males: 124), with age-at-death varying from 20 to 96 years; and the analysis of the relationship between rib fractures and age-at-death, biological sex, and bone mineral density measured at the proximal femur. The crude prevalence of rib fractures is 6.3% (16 cases in a total of 252 individuals observed); while the true prevalence rate is 0.7% (38 fractured ribs in relation to 5656 ribs studied). Males have been more affected than females (males: 10.5%, 13/124; females: 2.3%, 3/128). Individuals with one or more rib fractures were significantly older (mean=66.19 years old; standard deviation [SD]=14.08) than those who have not experienced any rib fracture (mean=50.41 years old; SD=19.45). Bone mineral density was also associated with the presence of rib fractures but only in females. These results expand the scientific awareness about the prevalence of rib fractures in human skeletal collections.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Femoral cortical bone in a Portuguese reference skeletal collection
This study aims to investigate patterns of femoral cortical bone fragility with age (at death) and to evaluate its associations with sex and bone mineral density. Radiogrammetric parameters of the femur and bone mineral density at the proximal femur were assessed in an adult sample (N=98) from the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection (Portugal). Diaphysis total width (DTW), femoral cortical index (FEMCI) and bone mineral density (BMD) are significantly higher in males, while medullary width (MW) is not statistically different between sexes. Cortical bone parameters of the femoral diaphysis are associated with age only in women, whereas BMD decreases with age in both sexes. The evaluation of femoral cortical bone reveals sex-specific trajectories of endosteal bone loss and periosteal apposition, stemming from sexual differences in the rate and pattern of bone loss, and in bone size. In females, endocortical bone loss rises with age, particularly in peri- and postmenopausal years, decelerating later in life. Concomitantly, accretion of bone in the subperiosteal surface persists throughout adulthood - partially offsetting bone fragility in women. Strength in the femoral mid diaphysis appears to be pre served throughout most of the life course in both sexes.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [SFRH/BPD/74015/2010
Metacarpal cortical bone loss and osteoporotic fractures in the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection
There has been considerable progress in recent years in our understanding of the patterns of cortical bone loss in the second metacarpal in archeological skeletal samples. Nevertheless, cortical data from reference skeletal collections are insufficient, and the possible connection of metacarpal cortical parameters with osteoporotic fractures has not been thoroughly addressed. As such, this article aims to identify and explain sex-specific and age-associated metacarpal cortical bone loss in a large sample (N = 302females: 154/males: 148) from the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection. Another objective is to evaluate the association of cortical and demographic features with osteoporotic fractures. Age-related endocortical bone loss is significant in women but not evident in men. Periosteal accretion of the bone is absent in both sexes. Overall, there is a net loss of the cortical bone in women, whereas cortical bone strength seems to be preserved in men. The prevalence of osteoporotic fractures is similar in both sexes, with age at death significantly influencing the probability of exhibiting a fracture. Metacarpal cortical index does not seem to be an independent risk factor for osteoporotic fractures in this sample.Fundacao para a Ciencia e a TecnologiaPortuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [SFRH/BPD/74015/2010
Extracapsular fracture of the femur in an elderly male from Setúbal (Portugal)
Poster presented at the BABAO Conference 2017: 19th Annual Conference of the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology. 8-10 September 2017, LiverpoolHip fractures were certainly present in past communities, if not reasonably frequent. Often an outcome of osteoporosis and increased risk of falling among the elderly, these fractures affect predominantly older women but also aged men. In this case-study, an extracapsular fracture of the femur in an elderly man is described and contextualized.N/
Radiographic fetal osteometry: Approach on age estimation for the portuguese population
The estimation of gestational age (GA) on fetal remains can be an important forensic issue. Forensic
specialists usually use reference tables and regression equations derived from reference collections,
which are quite rare in what fetuses are concerned. Since these tools are mostly grounded on
ultrasonographic measurements, which are known to differ from real bones measurements or are based
on ancient literature, this study aimed the construction of tables and regression equations for the
Portuguese population on the basis of diaphyseal bone length measurements (femur, tibia and humerus)
of 100 fetuses of known GA, using post-mortem radiographs.
There is a strong correlation between the longitudinal length of studied bones and GA; the femur
exhibits the strongest correlation (r = 0.969; p = 0.000), followed by the tibia (r = 0.966; p = 0.000) and
the humerus (r = 0.963; p = 0.000). Therefore it was possible to obtain regression equations and to build
tables with reference values for each of the diaphysis analyzed
Use of Accelerated Calcite Precipitation Method to Investigate Calcium Carbonate Precipitation from Recycled Concrete for Drainage System Applications
Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is a sustainable construction material that is a viable option for use in drainage systems by replacing virgin aggregate. Replacing virgin aggregate with RCA is beneficial from both economic and environmental perspectives. However, the use of RCA as pipe backfill materials may cause a long-term performance issue such as potential clogging due to fines accumulation and calcite precipitation on filter fabric. Previous studies investigated the long-term performance of RCA regarding flow rate. Therefore, this study investigated calcite precipitation potential of RCA. The Accelerated Calcite Precipitation (ACP) procedure was devised and used to estimate life-time calcite precipitation of RCA for French Drains. The ACP procedure was studied further and improved to optimize the calcite precipitation procedure. The enhanced method was used to compare the calcite precipitation of limestone and RCA samples - sources with varying chemistry and history. Key findings are (1) the clogging due to calcite precipitation of RCA is not as significant as clogging due to the existing and/or accumulated fines, (2) the calcite precipitation can be increased with a temperature of 75°C and 17-hour heating time, and (3) the potential for calcite precipitation from RCA is not as significant as limestone for Type I underdrain gradation
The Identification Potential of Atherosclerotic Calcifications in the Context of Forensic Anthropology
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that, in its more developed stages, can lead to the calcification of fatty plaques on the walls of arteries, resulting in the appearance of new bone elements. It is a condition that has been studied and documented little in the context of paleopathology, especially in the framework of forensic anthropology. This article analyzed the skeletal remains of 71 individuals (35 females and 36 males) from the Luís Lopes Identified Collection of the National Museum of Natural History and Science in Lisbon, 31 of whom had an autopsy report. An attempt was made to ascertain whether these bone elements resulting from atherosclerotic calcification would resist cadaveric decomposition and whether they would be recoverable several years after burial, and a survey was carried out of their distribution according to sex and age, as well as their association with other pathologies, such as osteoporosis and cardiac and renal pathologies. An imaging analysis of an atherosclerotic plaque was also carried out to complement the macroscopic analysis and present other methods of identifying plaques. It was concluded that each atherosclerotic calcification has a unique profile, which can be useful for identification, especially in cases where the individual shows a severe condition. In terms of identification potential, the analysis of calcified atherosclerotic plaques can be useful, as they can corroborate or reject an identification. However, it always requires the existence of ante-mortem imaging exams and must always be used in addition to other identification methods. Regardless of the identification, these plaques are bone elements resulting from a pathology and should, therefore, be known and recognized by the scientific community.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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