Microscopical Focal Destruction (Tunnels) in Exhumed Human Bones

1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Hackett

This is a survey of microscopical focal destruction in exhumed human bones from several countries and burial times. The single change (destruction) seen in these bones contrasts with the sequence of changes in pathological processes (destruction, cellular infiltration, new bone formation and healing). The absence of cells stresses the importance of size and shape, in three dimensions, and contents of the destructive foci. Focal mineral redeposition (e.g. cuffing) is characteristic of most forms of tunnels, and is usually associated with focal loss of mineral and bone matrix, partial or whole. In one kind of foci/tunnels (Wedl's) redeposition is restricted to packed osteons. The accumulation of the waste products of the invading organism in the surrounding tissue may hinder or stop the growth of the organism and consequential bone destruction. Later the redeposited mineral may be leached out and the bone thus ‘returned to normal’ will allow further growth of the invader and renewed destruction. Desiccation after exhumation soon ‘fixes’ the redeposited mineral. Mineral redeposition is never found in pathological changes. Examination of transverse and longitudinal sections together with the comparison of the changes in the mid-zone of cortical bone with those in the inner and outer zones is helpful in understanding the progress of the changes. No invasion by organisms of the lamellar tissue from the osteon canals was seen although this must be the rule. The tunnels in bones and teeth are compared, and show that the contents are, with one exception, not related to any anatomical structure. There is only destruction, and no new bone can be laid down in these postmortem changes. One kind of focus/tunnel does not change into or overlap another. The results of experimental burials in garden soils were indecisive. Four kinds of such well-defined changes are described, but the examination of specimens from a wider range of provenances will almost certainly reveal others and may call for modifications of the conclusions of this paper. The cause of these changes is yet to be established; it is not physico-chemical, but is probably bacterial or fungal. Although the invasion must proceed from the cortical surfaces via the osteon canals, these canals persist in even the oldest specimens. These foci/tunnels probably occur in buried bones throughout the world where the inhumation environment is favourable. They have been reported from early geological periods, and in this study were found in pterodactyl bones from the Jurassic period about 190 million years ago. Complete packing of exhumed bone tissue with microscopical destructive foci/tunnels can completely obscure the pattern of pathological changes. The application of more sophisticated techniques would contribute to the fuller understanding of these changes and their causes.

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 231-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
DIEGO A. GARZÓN-ALVARADO ◽  
MARCO A. VELASCO ◽  
CARLOS A. NARVÁEZ-TOVAR

One area of tissue engineering concerns research into alternatives for new bone formation and replacing its function. Scaffolds have been developed to meet this requirement, allowing cell migration, bone tissue growth, transport of growth factors and nutrients, and the improvement of the mechanical properties of bone. Scaffolds are made from different biomaterials and manufactured using several techniques that, in some cases, do not allow full control over the size and orientation of the pores characterizing the scaffold. A novel hypothesis that a reaction–diffusion (RD) system can be used for designing the geometrical specifications of the bone matrix is thus presented here. The hypothesis was evaluated by making simulations in two- and three-dimensional RD systems in conjunction with the biomaterial scaffold. The results showed the methodology's effectiveness in controlling features such as the percentage of porosity, size, orientation, and interconnectivity of pores in an injectable bone matrix produced by the proposed hypothesis.


MRS Bulletin ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 36-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ugo Ripamonti ◽  
Nicolaas Duneas

Recent advances in materials science and biotechnology have given birth to the new and exciting field of tissue engineering, in which the two normally disparate fields are merging into a profitable matrimony. In particular the use of biomaterials capable of initiating new bone formation via a process called osteoinduction is leading to quantum leaps for the tissue engineering of bone.The classic work of Marshall R. Urist and A. Hari Reddi opened the field of osteoinductive biomaterials. Urist discovered that, upon implantation of devitalized, demineralized bone matrix in the muscle of experimental animals, new bone formation occurs within two weeks, a phenomenon he described as bone formation by induction. The tissue response elicited by implantation of demineralized bone matrix in muscle or under the skin includes activation and migration of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells by chemotaxis, anchoragedependent cell attachment to the matrix, mitosis and proliferation of mesenchymal cells, differentiation of cartilage, mineralization of the cartilage, vascular invasion of the cartilage, differentiation of osteoblasts and deposition of bone matrix, and finally mineralization of bone and differentiation of marrow in the newly developed ossicle.The osteoinductive ability of the extracellular matrix of bone is abolished by the dissociative extraction of the demineralized matrix, but is recovered when the extracted component, itself inactive, is reconstituted with the inactive residue—mainly insoluble collagenous bone matrix. This important experiment showed that the osteoinductive signal resides in the solubilized component but needs to be reconstituted with an appropriate carrier to restore the osteoinductive activity. In this case, the carrier is the insoluble collagenous bone matrix—mainly crosslinked type I collagen.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Schorn ◽  
Tim Fienitz ◽  
Kathrin Berndsen ◽  
Norbert R. Kübler ◽  
Henrik Holtmann ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to compare new bone formation, resorbed bone matrix, and fibrous enclosed residual bone substitute material in laterally augmented alveolar bone defects using allogeneic, pre-treated and cleaned human bone blocks (tested in dogs, therefore considered to be xenogeneic), and pre-treated and cleaned bovine cancellous bone blocks, both with and without a collagen membrane in order to evaluate their augmentative potential. Methods Thirty-two critical size horizontal defects were prepared in the mandible of 4 adult foxhound dogs (8 per dog, 4 on each side). After 3 months of healing, the defects were laterally augmented in a split-mouth-design with either human (HXB) or bovine solvent-preserved bone blocks (BXB). Afterwards, defects were randomly covered with a bovine collagenous membrane (HXB + M, BXB + M). After a healing interval of 6 months, percentages of new bone formation, resorbed bone matrix, and fibrous enclosed residual bone substitute material were compared. Results Results showed little new bone formation of up to 3.7 % in human bone blocks (HXB 3.7 % ± 10.2, HXB + M 0.3 %± 0.4, BXB, 0.1 % ± 0.8, BXB + M 2.6 % ± 3.2, p = > 0.05). Percentages of fibrous encapsulation were higher in human bone blocks than in bovine bone blocks (HXB 71.2 % ± 8.6, HXB + M 73.71 % ± 10.6, BXB, 60.5 % ± 27.4, BXB + M 52.5 % ± 28.4, p = > 0.05). Resorption rates differed from 44.8 % in bovine bone blocks covered with a membrane to 17.4 % in human bone blocks (HXB 17.4 % ± 7.4, HXB + M 25.9 % ± 10.7, BXB, 38.4 % ± 27.2, BXB + M 44.8 % ± 29.6, p = > 0.05). The use of additional membranes did not significantly affect results. Conclusions Within its limitations, results of this study suggest that solvent-preserved xenogenic human and bovine bone blocks are not suitable for lateral bone augmentation in dogs. Furthermore, defect coverage with a membrane does not positively affect the outcome.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-119
Author(s):  
Naseer Ahmed KHAN ◽  
Mukhtiar AHMED ◽  
Naveed ul Hasan SYED ◽  
Matthew DREWERY

In this study the authors investigated the effect of alkali (Ca(OH)2) and heat treatment on the physico-chemical properties of bovine bone powder. For this purpose, raw and alkali treated samples were heated separately at temperatures of 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C. A combination of characterization techniques, such as TGA, XRD, N2-adsorbtion isotherms, and EDX were used. It was found that the boiling of cleaned solid pieces of bones in 2 molar Ca(OH)2 solution results in a mass loss of about 10 % (mainly discards oily liquid). TGA analysis affirms that the hydrocarbons of bone matrix are partially extractable (~ 10 %) in the boiling alkaline solution. The color of raw and treated bone samples remained similar, that is changing from yellowish white to grayish black before turning into white over temperatures ranging from 30 °C (room temperature), 400 – 600 °C, and 800 – 1000 °C, respectively. Moreover, XRD signatures were also comparable at unified temperature ranges, however, it was noted that carbonization due to heating engenders a significant change in the intensities of the x-ray reflections. Despite of having similarities, surface area of raw and treated bones at 400 °C, 600 °C and 800 °C were found to be different, indicative of a chemical interactions of calcium ions with bone. Quite interestingly, TGA, XRD, and N2-adsorbtion isotherms support the argument that a limited amount of calcium ions diffuses into the vacancies or interstitial sites of bone lattice. Furthermore, EDX analysis of the samples calcined at 1000 °C confirms that the Ca(OH)2 treatment increases the total calcium content of hydroxylapatite (inorganic part of bone matrix).


Meat Science ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.H. Yu ◽  
D.G. Lim ◽  
S.G. Jeong ◽  
T.S. In ◽  
J.H. Kim ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. E10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Jian Zhu ◽  
Guang-Yu Ying ◽  
Ai-Qin Chen ◽  
Lin-Lin Wang ◽  
Dan-Feng Yu ◽  
...  

OBJECT Posterior midline laminectomy or hemilaminectomy has been successfully applied as the standard microsurgical technique for the treatment of spinal intradural pathologies. However, the associated risks of postoperative spinal instability increase the need for subsequent fusion surgery to prevent potential long-term spinal deformity. Continuous efforts have been made to minimize injuries to the surrounding tissue resulting from surgical manipulations. The authors report here their experiences with a novel minimally invasive surgical approach, namely the interlaminar approach, for the treatment of lumbar intraspinal tumors. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of patients at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine who underwent minimally invasive resection of lumbar intradural-extramedullary tumors. By using an operative microscope, in addition to an endoscope when necessary, the authors were able to treat all patients with a unilateral, paramedian, bone-sparing interlaminar technique. Data including preoperative neurological status, tumor location, size, pathological diagnosis, extension of resections, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, and clinical outcomes were obtained through clinical and radiological examinations. RESULTS Eighteen patients diagnosed with lumbar intradural-extramedullary tumors were treated from October 2013 to March 2015 by this interlaminar technique. A microscope was used in 15 cases, and the remaining 3 cases were treated using a microscope as well as an endoscope. There were 14 schwannomas, 2 ependymomas, 1 epidermoid cyst, and 1 enterogenous cyst. Postoperative radiological follow-up revealed complete removal of all the lesions and no signs of bone defects in the lamina. At clinical follow-up, 14 of the 18 patients had less pain, and patients' motor/sensory functions improved or remained normal in all cases except 1. CONClUSIONS When meeting certain selection criteria, intradural-extramedullary lumbar tumors, especially schwannomas, can be completely and safely resected through a less-invasive interlaminar approach using a microscope, or a microscope in addition to an endoscope when necessary. This approach was advantageous because it caused even less bone destruction, resulting in better postoperative spinal stability, no need for facetectomy and fusion, and quicker functional recovery for the patients. Individualized surgical planning according to preoperative radiological findings is key to a successful microsurgical resection of these lesions through the interlaminar space.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 3386-3386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Yang ◽  
Zhiqiang Liu ◽  
Huan Liu ◽  
Jin He ◽  
Pei Lin ◽  
...  

Abstract Bone destruction is a hallmark of myeloma, and has a severe impact on patients’ quality of life and survival. Unfortunately, current treatment only offers moderate palliative effects, and this disease remains incurable. The bone changes in myeloma patients results from increased osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and decreased osteoblast-mediated bone formation. In particular, new bone formation that usually occurs at sites of previously resorbed bones is deeply suppressed; as a result, areas of bone destruction rarely heal. Previous studies have shown that myeloma cells inhibit osteoblast differentiation from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and the Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway is suppressed via myeloma-produced Wnt antagonists such as dickkopf-1. However, the role of dickkopf-1 in myeloma-induced inhibition of bone formation remains controversial since myeloma cells alone do not produce sufficient dickkopf-1 to suppress osteoblast differentiation. In addition, the administration of an antibody against dickkopf-1 in myeloma patients failed to restore new bone formation, indicating there must be an additional mechanism for inhibition of osteoblast differentiation seen in myeloma. While MSCs can differentiate into mature osteoblasts, they are also capable of differentiating into adipocytes, which is a major cell type in marrow stroma. We observed that myeloma cells (cell lines and primary cells isolated from myeloma patients’ bone marrow) injected into human or mouse bone not only reduced osteoblast number, but also increased adipocyte number and activity in bone marrow. Similar observations were seen in the clinical setting where collections of adipocytes were found in the bone marrow of newly diagnosed, untreated myeloma patients. Patients with greater bone destruction had higher adipocyte numbers than those in patients with less bone destruction, indicating a relationship among myeloma cells, adipogenesis, and osteoblastogenesis. We hypothesized that inhibition of osteoblast differentiation is a consequence of myeloma-dependent alterations in the control of the MSCs’ fate into osteoblasts or into adipocytes. In our studies, we co-cultured MSCs with myeloma cells in a mixed medium (that contained both adipocyte and osteoblast media), and we observed co-culture with myeloma cells induced more adipocyte than osteoblast formation. Moreover, co-culture with myeloma cells enhanced adipocyte differentiation in vitro. Interestingly, separation of the cells by transwell inserts significantly reduced such effect. By analysis of the adhesion molecules in myeloma cells, we identified integrin α4β1 as a novel contributor in regulation of adipogenesis and osteoblastogenesis. Thus, our studies indicate that in the presence of myeloma cells, MSCs may be more prone to differentiate into adipocytes than into osteoblasts via α4β1. Our studies also suggest the development of new strategies to improve the care of myeloma patients with bone destruction by targeting α4β1 and its signaling pathways. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


1991 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Yamashita ◽  
Y. Horisaka ◽  
Y. Okamoto ◽  
Y. Yoshimura ◽  
N. Matsumoto ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 913-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sittisak Honsawek ◽  
Piyanuch Bumrungpanichthaworn ◽  
Voranuch Thanakit ◽  
Vachiraporn Kunrangseesomboon ◽  
Supamongkon Muchmee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is extensively used in orthopedic, periodontal, and maxillofacial application and investigated as a material to induce new bone formation. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) derived from the submucosa layer of porcine intestine has widely utilized as biomaterial with minimum immune response. Objectives: Determine the osteoinductive potential of SIS, DBM, SIS/DBM composites in the in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal bioassays for bone tissue engineering. Materials and methods: Human periosteal (HPO) cells were treated in the absence or presence SIS, DBM, and SIS/DBM. Cell proliferation was examined by direct cell counting. Osteoblast differentiation of the HPO cells was analyzed with alkaline phosphatase activity assay. The Wistar rat muscle implant model was used to evaluate the osteoinductive potential of SIS, DBM, and SIS/DBM composites. Results: HPO cells could differentiate along osteogenic lineage when treated with either DBM or SIS/DBM. SIS/ DBM had a tendency to promote more cellular proliferation and osteoblast differentiation than the other treatments. In Wistar rat bioassay, SIS showed no new bone formation and the implants were surrounded by fibrous tissues. DBM demonstrated new bone formation along the edge of old DBM particles. SIS/DBM composite exhibited high osteoinductivity, and the residual SIS/DBM was surrounded by osteoid-like matrix and newly formed bone. Conclusion: DBM and SIS/DBM composites could retain their osteoinductive capability. SIS/DBM scaffolds may provide an alternative approach for bone tissue engineering.


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