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

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

Why are tapes better than wires in knotless rotator cuff repairs? An evaluation of force, pressure and contact area in a tendon bone unit mechanical model

Knotless repairs have demonstrated encouraging performance regarding retear rate reduction, but literature aiming at identifying the specific variables responsible for these results is scarce and conflictive. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effect of the material (tape or wire suture) and medial tendon passage (single or double passage) on the contact force, pressure and area at the tendon bone interface in order to identify the key factors responsible for this repairs´ success.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Quantitative determinations and imaging in different structures of buried human bones from the XVIII-XIXth centuries by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence - Postmortem evaluation

In this work, a non-commercial triaxial geometry energy dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) setup and a benchtop mu-XRF system were used to identify postmortem contamination in buried bones. For two of the individuals, unusually high concentrations of Cu and Pb, but also Zn (in one individual) were observed. The pigments of the burial shroud coverings have been identified as the source of contamination.Accurate and precise quantitative results were obtained by nondestructive process using fundamental parameters method taking into account the matrix absorption effects.A total of 30 bones from 13 individuals, buried between the mid-XVlllth to early XIXth centuries, were analyzed to study the elemental composition and elemental distribution. The bones were collected from a church in Almada (Portugal), called Ermida do Espirito Santo, located near the Tagus River and at the sea neighbourhood.The triaxial geometry setup was used to quantify Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Sr and Pb of powder pressed bone pellets (n=9 for each bone). Cluster analysis was performed considering the elemental concentrations for the different bones. There was a clear association between some bones regarding Fe, Cu, Zn, Br and Pb content but not a categorization between cortical and trabecular bones. The elemental distribution of Cu, Zn and Pb were assessed by the benchtop p.-analysis, the M4 Tornado, based on a polycapillary system which provides multi-elemental 2D maps. The results showed that contamination was mostly on the surface of the bone confirming that it was related to the burial shroud covering the individuals

Possible Brucellosis in an Early Hominin Skeleton from Sterkfontein, South Africa

We report on the paleopathological analysis of the partial skeleton of the late Pliocene hominin species Australopithecus africanus Stw 431 from Sterkfontein, South Africa. A previous study noted the presence of lesions on vertebral bodies diagnosed as spondylosis deformans due to trauma. Instead, we suggest that these lesions are pathological changes due to the initial phases of an infectious disease, brucellosis. The macroscopic, microscopic and radiological appearance of the lytic lesions of the lumbar vertebrae is consistent with brucellosis. The hypothesis of brucellosis (most often associated with the consumption of animal proteins) in a 2.4 to 2.8 million year old hominid has a host of important implications for human evolution. The consumption of meat has been regarded an important factor in supporting, directing or altering human evolution. Perhaps the earliest (up to 2.5 million years ago) paleontological evidence for meat eating consists of cut marks on animal remains and stone tools that could have made these marks. Now with the hypothesis of brucellosis in A. africanus, we may have evidence of occasional meat eating directly linked to a fossil hominin

Osteometric measurements of the radius in the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection

Sample Data used in this investigation were acquired from a Portuguese identified skeletal collection, the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection (CISC, University of Coimbra, Portugal), comprising 364 individuals (166 females and 198 males). The source of the raw data was the original data set made available by Maria Augusta Neto (1957). Only data from complete left radii were retrieved. Ages at death ranged from 17 to 96 years. Individuals in this sample were born between 1833 and 1918, and died between 1910 and 1936. Data collection Ten measurements (in mm) of the radius were selected, including the maximum length (MLR), minimum circumference in the proximal diaphysis (MCPDR), minimum circumference in the distal diaphysis (MCDDR), transverse diameter of the head (TDHR), sagittal diameter of the head (SDHR), head circumference (HCR), neck circumference (NCR), transverse diameter of the shaft (TDSR), sagittal diameter of the shaft (SDSR), and the inferior epiphysis width (IEWR). All measurements were obtained according to Martin (1928), except the minimum circumference in the proximal diaphysis, defined by Fischer (1906)

Osteometric measurements of the radius in the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection

SampleData used in this investigation were acquired from a Portuguese identified skeletal collection, the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection (CISC, University of Coimbra, Portugal), comprising 364 individuals (166 females and 198 males). The source of the raw data was the original data set made available by Maria Augusta Neto (1957). Only data from complete left radii were retrieved. Ages at death ranged from 17 to 96 years. Individuals in this sample were born between 1833 and 1918, and died between 1910 and 1936.Data collection Ten measurements (in mm) of the radius were selected, including the maximum length (MLR), minimum circumference in the proximal diaphysis (MCPDR), minimum circumference in the distal diaphysis (MCDDR), transverse diameter of the head (TDHR), sagittal diameter of the head (SDHR), head circumference (HCR), neck circumference (NCR), transverse diameter of the shaft (TDSR), sagittal diameter of the shaft (SDSR), and the inferior epiphysis width (IEWR). All measurements were obtained according to Martin (1928), except the minimum circumference in the proximal diaphysis, defined by Fischer (1906)

Osteometric measurements of the radius in the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection

Sample Data used in this investigation were acquired from a Portuguese identified skeletal collection, the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection (CISC, University of Coimbra, Portugal), comprising 364 individuals (166 females and 198 males). The source of the raw data was the original data set made available by Maria Augusta Neto (1957). Only data from complete left radii were retrieved. Ages at death ranged from 17 to 96 years. Individuals in this sample were born between 1833 and 1918, and died between 1910 and 1936. Data collection Ten measurements (in mm) of the radius were selected, including the maximum length (MLR), minimum circumference in the proximal diaphysis (MCPDR), minimum circumference in the distal diaphysis (MCDDR), transverse diameter of the head (TDHR), sagittal diameter of the head (SDHR), head circumference (HCR), neck circumference (NCR), transverse diameter of the shaft (TDSR), sagittal diameter of the shaft (SDSR), and the inferior epiphysis width (IEWR). All measurements were obtained according to Martin (1928), except the minimum circumference in the proximal diaphysis, defined by Fischer (1906)

Osteometric measurements of the radius in the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection

Sample Data used in this investigation were acquired from a Portuguese identified skeletal collection, the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection (CISC, University of Coimbra, Portugal), comprising 364 individuals (166 females and 198 males). The source of the raw data was the original data set made available by Maria Augusta Neto (1957). Only data from complete left radii were retrieved. Ages at death ranged from 17 to 96 years. Individuals in this sample were born between 1833 and 1918, and died between 1910 and 1936. Data collection Ten measurements (in mm) of the radius were selected, including the maximum length (MLR), minimum circumference in the proximal diaphysis (MCPDR), minimum circumference in the distal diaphysis (MCDDR), transverse diameter of the head (TDHR), sagittal diameter of the head (SDHR), head circumference (HCR), neck circumference (NCR), transverse diameter of the shaft (TDSR), sagittal diameter of the shaft (SDSR), and the inferior epiphysis width (IEWR). All measurements were obtained according to Martin (1928), except the minimum circumference in the proximal diaphysis, defined by Fischer (1906)