Human body mass estimation: a comparison of "morphometric" and "mechanical" methods

In the past, body mass was reconstructed from hominin skeletal remains using both "mechanical" methods which rely on the support of body mass by weight-bearing skeletal elements, and "morphometric" methods which reconstruct body mass through direct assessment of body size and shape. A previous comparison of two such techniques, using femoral head breadth (mechanical) and stature and bi-iliac breadth (morphometric), indicated a good general correspondence between them (Ruff et al. [1997] Nature 387:173-176). However, the two techniques were never systematically compared across a large group of modern humans of diverse body form. This study incorporates skeletal measures taken from 1,173 Holocene adult individuals, representing diverse geographic origins, body sizes, and body shapes. Femoral head breadth, bi-iliac breadth (after pelvic rearticulation), and long bone lengths were measured on each individual. Statures were estimated from long bone lengths using appropriate reference samples. Body masses were calculated using three available femoral head breadth (FH) formulae and the stature/bi-iliac breadth (STBIB) formula, and compared. All methods yielded similar results. Correlations between FH estimates and STBIB estimates are 0.74-0.81. Slight differences in results between the three FH estimates can be attributed to sampling differences in the original reference samples, and in particular, the body-size ranges included in those samples. There is no evidence for systematic differences in results due to differences in body proportions. Since the STBIB method was validated on other samples, and the FH methods produced similar estimates, this argues that either may be applied to skeletal remains with some confidence.     

Distribution of Small Integrin-binding Ligand, N-linked Glycoproteins (SIBLING) in the Articular Cartilage of the Rat Femoral Head

The small integrin-binding ligand, N-linked glycoprotein (SIBLING) family is closely related to osteogenesis. Until recently, little was known about their existence in articular cartilage. In this study, we systematically evaluated the presence and distribution of four SIBLING family members in rat femoral head cartilage: dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteopontin (OPN), and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP). First, non-collagenous proteins were extracted and then separated by ion-exchange chromatography. Next, the protein extracts eluted by chromatography were analyzed by Stains-all staining and Western immunoblotting. IHC was used to assess the distribution of these four SIBLING family members in the femoral head cartilage. Both approaches showed that all the four SIBLING family members are expressed in the femoral head cartilage. IHC showed that SIBLING members are distributed in various locations throughout the articular cartilage. The NH₂-terminal fragments of DMP1, BSP, and OPN are present in the cells and in the extracellular matrix, whereas the COOH-terminal fragment of DMP1 and the NH₂-terminal fragment of DSPP are primarily intracellularly localized in the chondrocytes. The presence of the SIBLING family members in the rat femoral head cartilage suggests that they may play important roles in chondrogenesis. (J Histochem Cytochem 58:1033–1043, 2010)     

Loss of βarrestin1 and βarrestin2 contributes to pulmonary hypoplasia and neonatal lethality in mice

Less is known about the connection between the malfunction of βarrestins and developmental defects as the mice with either of two βarrestin isoforms knockout appear normal. In order to address the biological function of βarrestins during developmental process, we generate βarrestin1/2 double knockout mice. We found that βarrestin1/2 dual-null mice developed respiratory distress and atelectasis that subsequently caused neonatal death. Morphological examination revealed type II pneumocyte immaturity. Our results indicate that not only βarrestin1/2 double knockout lung tissue show disturbances in cell proliferation but βarrestin1 and βarrestin2 contribute to pulmonary surfactant complex generation during pulmonary maturation. Intra-amniotic delivery of recombinant adenovirus expressing βarrestin1 or βarrestin2 enhances surfactant-associated proteins synthesis in vivo. Our mRNA microarray data further reveal that βarrestin1/2 double knockout results in downregulation of a significant proportion of genes involved in several lung morphogenesis processes. Together, our study demonstrates that βarrestin1 and βarrestin2 collaborate in embryonic development processes for epithelial pneumocyte differentiation and lung maturation.     

Morbidity in the marshes: using spatial epidemiology to investigate skeletal evidence for Malaria in Anglo-Saxon England (AD 410-1050)

Concerns over climate change and its potential impact on infectious disease prevalence have contributed to a resurging interest in malaria in the past. A wealth of historical evidence indicates that malaria, specifically Plasmodium vivax, was endemic in the wetlands of England from the 16th century onwards. While it is thought that malaria was introduced to Britain during the Roman occupation (AD first to fifth centuries), the lack of written mortality records prior to the post-medieval period makes it difficult to evaluate either the presence or impact of the disease. The analysis of human skeletal remains from archaeological contexts is the only potential means of examining P. vivax in the past. Malaria does not result in unequivocal pathological lesions in the human skeleton; however, it results in hemolytic anemia, which can contribute to the skeletal condition cribra orbitalia. Using geographical information systems (GIS), we conducted a spatial analysis of the prevalence of cribra orbitalia from 46 sites (5,802 individuals) in relation to geographical variables, historically recorded distribution patterns of indigenous malaria and the habitat of its mosquito vector Anopheles atroparvus. Overall, those individuals living in low-lying and Fenland regions exhibited higher levels of cribra orbitalia than those in nonmarshy locales. No corresponding relationship existed with enamel hypoplasia. We conclude that P. vivax malaria, in conjunction with other comorbidities, is likely to be responsible for the pattern observed. Studies of climate and infectious disease in the past are important for modeling future health in relation to climate change predictions.     

Use of human perivascular stem cells for bone regeneration

Human perivascular stem cells (PSCs) can be isolated in sufficient numbers from multiple tissues for purposes of skeletal tissue engineering. PSCs are a FACS-sorted population of 'pericytes' (CD146+CD34-CD45-) and 'adventitial cells' (CD146-CD34+CD45-), each of which we have previously reported to have properties of mesenchymal stem cells. PSCs, like MSCs, are able to undergo osteogenic differentiation, as well as secrete pro-osteogenic cytokines. In the present protocol, we demonstrate the osteogenicity of PSCs in several animal models including a muscle pouch implantation in SCID (severe combined immunodeficient) mice, a SCID mouse calvarial defect and a femoral segmental defect (FSD) in athymic rats. The thigh muscle pouch model is used to assess ectopic bone formation. Calvarial defects are centered on the parietal bone and are standardly 4 mm in diameter (critically sized). FSDs are bicortical and are stabilized with a polyethylene bar and K-wires. The FSD described is also a critical size defect, which does not significantly heal on its own. In contrast, if stem cells or growth factors are added to the defect site, significant bone regeneration can be appreciated. The overall goal of PSC xenografting is to demonstrate the osteogenic capability of this cell type in both ectopic and orthotopic bone regeneration models.     

关节镜下逆行交锁髓内钉治疗股骨远端骨折36例分析

目的:探讨关节镜下逆行交锁髓内钉治疗股骨远端骨折的疗效、特点及其必要性.方法:采用关节镜下逆行交锁髓内钉进行手术治疗36例股骨远端骨折.结果:36例中膝关节内病损17例,经随访6个月至2年,平均10月,膝关节活动度90°～140°,平均125°.骨折愈合时间3～9个月,平均6个月.结论:关节镜引导下逆行交锁髓内钉治疗股骨远端骨折,同时对膝关节内损伤或病变明确诊断并进行相应处理,避免漏诊,手术时间短,最大限度地保留了膝关节的解剖与功能的完整性,对膝关节损伤小,值得推广.     

股骨头缺血坏死介入治疗的临床应用研究

目的:探讨介入治疗股骨头缺血坏死的临床应用价值。方法:采用Seldinger技术对28例患者行超选择股骨头供血动脉插管,动脉造影、溶通治疗。结果:28例患者治疗后髋部疼痛及关节功能障碍均有不同程度的减轻及改善,有效率96.4%;治疗后病变区血管分支增多、增粗;影像随访显示股骨头骨质不同程度修复。结论:介入治疗具有创伤小、并发症低、血管再通率高、临床症状改善明显的优势,能有效的改善股骨头的局部血液循环和髋关节的疼痛、活动功能,应大力推广。     

Opposite Contributions of Trunk and Leg Fat Mass with Plasma Lipase Activities: The Hoorn Study

Objective: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) are essential in hydrolysis of triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins. LPL activity is negatively, whereas HL activity is positively, associated with total body fat. We determined the associations of trunk and leg fat mass with plasma LPL and HL activities in a cross‐sectional study. Research Methods and Procedures: LPL and HL activities were determined in post‐heparin plasma in a sample of 197 men and 209 women, 60 to 87 years of age. A total body DXA scan was performed to determine trunk and leg fat mass. Results: In women, but not in men, trunk fat mass was negatively associated with LPL activity, whereas leg fat mass was positively associated, after mutual adjustment and adjustment for age. Standardized βs (95% confidence interval) for trunk and leg fat mass were ?0.24 (?0.41; ?0.08) and 0.14 (?0.02; 0.31), respectively (interaction by sex, p = 0.03). Larger trunk fat mass was associated with higher HL activity in men [0.48 (0.28; 0.68)] and women [0.40 (0.24; 0.56)]. A negative association of leg fat mass and HL activity was observed in men, although not statistically significant [?0.13 (?0.33; 0.06)], and in women [?0.28 (?0.38; ?0.18)]. Discussion: Abdominal fat is associated with unfavorable and femoral fat with favorable LPL and HL activities in plasma.     

人工髋关节置换术中股骨假体周围骨折的影响因素回归分析及其相关性

目的:研究人工髋关节置换术中股骨假体周围骨折的影响因素及其相关性,为人工髋关节置换术中股骨假体周围骨折的预防和诊治提供科学依据。方法:选取本院2012年11月至2013年9月施行髋关节置换手术的患者780例,搜集各研究对象的一般资料(年龄、性别等)以及随访观察其髋关节置换手术后股骨假体周围骨折的发生情况,把股骨假体周围骨折的发生情况与性别、年龄、固定类型等因素进行Logistic回归分析。结果:780例施行髋关节置换手术的患者中,有52例患者术后出现股骨假体周围骨折,总发生率为6.7%;其中A型31例,B型18例(B1型6例,B2型7例,B3型5例),C型3例。女性的发生率(8.5%)高于男性(4.7%),老年患者中股骨假体周围骨折的发生率最高(10.1%),生物型假体固定者的发生率(8.7%)高于骨水泥型假体固定者(3.8%),人工髋关节翻修术中股骨假体周围骨折的发生率最高(11.4%),股骨假体周围骨折发生的危险因素为女性、高龄、使用生物型假体固定,OR值分别为5.301、3.675和2.336。结论:人工髋关节置换术中的危险因素为女性、高龄、使用生物型假体固定,临床医生应在术前对行人工髋关节置换术手术者进行充分的评估,制定合理的手术方案及选择合适的固定方式。