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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anat / Analysis of osteon morphotype scoring schemes for interpreti...
Journal of anatomy2011; 218(5); 480-499; doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2011.01348.x

Analysis of osteon morphotype scoring schemes for interpreting load history: evaluation in the chimpanzee femur.

Abstract: Osteon morphotype scores (MTSs) allow for quantification of mechanically important collagen/lamellar variations between secondary osteons when viewed in circularly polarized ight (CPL). We recently modified the 6-point MTS method of Martin et al. (Martin RB, Gibson VA, Stover SM, Gibeling JC, Griffin LV (1996a) Osteonal structure in the equine third metacarpus. Bone 19, 165-71) and reported superiority of this modified method in correlating with 'tension' and 'compression' cortices of both chimpanzee proximal femoral diaphyses and diaphyses of other non-anthropoid bones that are loaded in habitual bending (Skedros et al. 2009, 2011). In these studies, the 'tension' and 'compression' cortices differed significantly in predominant collagen fiber orientation (CFO) based on weighted-mean gray levels (CFO/WMGLs) in CPL images. In chimpanzee femora, however, some osteons were difficult to score with the 6-point method; namely, 'hybrids' with peripherally bright 'hoops' and variability in alternating rings within the osteon wall. We hypothesized that some of these hybrids would be more prevalent in regions subject to torsion than bending. In this perspective the present study was aimed at expanding our 6-point scoring method (S-6-MTS) into two 12-point methods with six additional morphotypes that considered these hybrids. Three- and 4-point methods were also evaluated. We hypothesized that at least one of these other methods would out-perform the S-6-MTS in terms of accuracy, reliability, and interpreting torsion vs. bending load histories. Osteon morphotypes were quantified in CPL images from transverse sections of eight adult chimpanzee femora (neck, proximal diaphysis, mid-diaphysis), where the mid-diaphysis and base- and mid-neck locations have relatively more complex loading (e.g. torsion + bending) than the proximal diaphysis, where bending predominates. Correlation coefficients between CFO/WMGL and MTSs showed that the S-6-MTS method was either stronger or equivalent to the 12-point methods, and typically stronger than the 3- and 4-point methods for all load environments. In nearly all instances the S-6-MTS is more reliable and accurate when it is applied to cases where interpreting load history requires distinguishing habitual bending from torsion. Consequently, in studies of osteonal adaptations for these load histories the 3- and 4-point methods are not stronger correlates, and the extra time required to assign additional scores in the 12-point methods is both unnecessary and can be highly unreliable.
© 2011 The Authors. Journal of Anatomy © 2011 Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Publication Date: 2011-02-16 PubMed ID: 21323667PubMed Central: PMC3089745DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2011.01348.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explores the effectiveness of different osteon scoring methods in understanding load history. It finds that a modified 6-point scoring system is either as strong or stronger than other methods tested in terms of reliability and accuracy, particularly when distinguishing between habitual bending and torsion.

Introduction and Background

  • The study investigates osteon morphotype scores (MTSs), a tool used to quantify variations in collagen/lamellar in bone structure, specifically secondary osteons.
  • The focus is on a modified 6-point MTS model, which the researchers had previously adapted and found effective in previous studies involving both chimpanzees and other non-anthropoid bones that habitually bend.
  • One challenge that had been noted with the 6-point system involved certain types of osteons (referred to as ‘hybrids’), which were difficult to accurately score. Such osteons were hypothesized to be more common in areas exposed to torsion rather than bending.

Methodology

  • The study aimed to test an extended 12-point MTS system, integrating the typical ‘hybrid’ osteon types, with the expectation that this expanded method would have improved accuracy and reliability.
  • The investigation also evaluated simpler 3- and 4-points methods.
  • Research was carried out using samples of eight adult chimpanzee femora (bones from the upper leg). The focus on areas where the load bearing is complex, such as torsion and bending, as well as where bending is predominant.

Results and Conclusion

  • Findings suggest that the modified 6-point MTS method actually performed as well as, or better than, both the 12-point methods and the simpler 3- and 4-point methods in all load environments.
  • The modified 6-point system, referred to as S-6-MTS, was found to be particularly effective when interpreting load history required distinction between habitual bending and torsion.
  • The study concluded that the more time-consuming 12-point system was unnecessary and potentially unreliable, while the simpler methods did not offer the same level of correlation.
  • Overall, the research highlights the effectiveness and reliability of a modified 6-point MTS method in understanding and interpreting the load history.

Cite This Article

APA
Skedros JG, Kiser CJ, Keenan KE, Thomas SC. (2011). Analysis of osteon morphotype scoring schemes for interpreting load history: evaluation in the chimpanzee femur. J Anat, 218(5), 480-499. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2011.01348.x

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 1469-7580
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 218
Issue: 5
Pages: 480-499

Researcher Affiliations

Skedros, John G
  • Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. jskedros@utahboneandjoint.com
Kiser, Casey J
    Keenan, Kendra E
      Thomas, Samuel C

        MeSH Terms

        • Adaptation, Physiological
        • Animals
        • Collagen / ultrastructure
        • Femur / ultrastructure
        • Haversian System / cytology
        • Microscopy, Polarization / methods
        • Pan troglodytes / anatomy & histology
        • Stress, Mechanical
        • Weight-Bearing

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 3 times.
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